160 Hans Brinker

energies to keep out of the way of the passers-by, and to pre-
vent those screaming little urchins from upsetting him with their
sleds. Once he halted to watch some boys who were making
a hole in the ice, preparatory to using their fishing-spears. Just
as he concluded to start again, he found himself suddenly

 

BEN’S MISHAP.

bumped into an old lady’s lap. Her.push-chair had come upon
him from the rear. The old lady screamed; the servant who
was propelling her gave a warning hiss. In another instant
Ben found himself apologizing to empty air: the indignant old
lady was far ahead.

This was a slight mishap compared with one that now
threatened him. A huge ice-boat, under full sail, came tearing