or, The Silver Skates 165

XX
JACOB POOT CHANGES THE PLAN

HE last note died away in the distance. Our boys, who,
in their vain efforts to keep up with the boat, had felt
that they were skating backward, turned to look at one another.

“« How beautiful that was!” exclaimed Van Mounen.

“¢ Just like a dream!” said Ludwig.

Jacob drew close to Ben, giving his usual approving nod as
he spoke, —

“Dat ish goot. Dat ish te pest vay. J shay petter to take
to Leyden mit a poat!”

“Take a boat!” exclaimed Ben, in dismay. ‘“ Why, man,
our plan was to skate, not to be carried like little children.”

“ Tuyfels!”? retorted Jacob. “ Dat ish no little — no papies
—to go for poat!”

The boys laughed, but exchanged uneasy glances. It would
be great fun to jump on an ice-boat, if they had a chance; but
to abandon so shamefully their grand undertaking — who could
think of such a thing ?

An animated discussion arose at once.

Captain Peter brought his party to a halt.

“ Boys,” said he, “it strikes me that we should consult
Jacob’s wishes in this matter. He started the excursion, you
know.”

“ Pooh!” sneered Carl, throwing a contemptuous glance at
Jacob. “Who’s tired? We.can rest all night at Leyden.”