248 Hans Brinker

past at such a rate. I can only tell you that each did his
best, flying, with bent body and eager eyes, in and out among
the placid skaters on the canal, until the very guard shouted
to them to “Hold up!” This only served to send them
onward with a two-boy power that startled all beholders.

But the laws of inertia are stronger even than canal-guards.

After a while, Jacob slackened his speed, then Ludwig, then
Lambert, then Carl. ;

They soon halted to take a long breath, and, finally, found
themselves standing in a group, gazing after Peter and Ben,
who were still racing in the distance as if their lives were at
stake.

“Tt is very evident,” said Lambert, as he and his three com-
panions started on again, “that neither of them will give up if
he can help it.”

«« What foolishness ! ” growled Carl, “ to tire themselves at
the beginning of the journey. But they ’re racing in earnest,
that’s certain. Halloo! Peter’s flagging!”

“ Not so!” cried Ludwig. ‘Catch him being beaten!”

“Ha, ha!” sneered Carl. “TI tell you, boy, Benjamin is
ahead.”

Now, if Ludwig disliked anything in this world, it was to be
called a boy — probably because he was nothing else. He
grew indignant at once.

“ Humph! what are you, 1 wonder? There, sir! ow look
and see if Peter isn’t ahead!” -

“J think he 7s,” interposed Lambert; “but I can’t quite
tell at this distance.’

“ J think he isn’t!” retorted Carl.

Jacob was growing anxious. He always abhorred an argu-

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me2nt; so he said coaxingly, “ Don’t quarrel, don’t quarrel