168 Hans Brinker

ashamed, feebly tried to free himself from those who were
supporting him.

There was no alternative, now, for our party, but to have
their exhausted comrade carried in some way to Leyden. As
for expecting him to skate any more that day, the thing was
impossible. In truth, by this time each boy began to entertain
secret yearnings towards ice-boats, and to avow a Spartan
resolve not to desert Jacob. Fortunately a- gentle, steady
breeze was setting southward. If some accommodating
schipper 1 would but come along, matters would not be quite
so bad, after all.

Peter hailed the first sail that appeared. The men in the
stern would not even look at him. Three drays on runners
came along ; but they were already loaded to the utmost. Then
an ice-boat, a beautiful, tempting little one, whizzed past like
an arrow. ‘The boys had just time to stare eagerly at it, when
it was gone. In despair, they resolved to prop up Jacob with
their strong arms as well as they could, and take him to the
nearest village.

At that moment a very shabby ice-boat came in sight. With
but little hope of success, Peter hailed it, at the same time
taking off his hat, and flourishing it in the air.

The sail was lowered ; then came the scraping sound of the
brake ; and a pleasant voice called out from the deck, —

“ What now?”

“Will you take us on?” cried Peter, hurrying with his
companions as fast as he could; for the boat was “ bringing
to”’ some distance ahead, — “ will you take us on?”

“© Well pay for the ride!” shouted Carl.

1 Skipper, master of a small trading-vessel, a pleasure-boat, or ice-boat.