or, The Silver Skates Ott

XXXI
BOYS AND. GIRLS

Y the time the boys reached the village of Voorhout,
which stands near the grand canal, about half-way
between the Hague and Haarlem, they were forced to hold a
council. The wind, though moderate at first, had grown
stronger and stronger, until at last they could hardly skate
against it. The weather-vanes throughout the country had
evidently entered into a conspiracy.

‘‘ No use trying to face such a blow as this,” said Ludwig.
“ Tt cuts its way down a man’s throat like a knife.”

“ Keep your mouth shut, then,” grunted the affable Carl,
who was strong-chested asa young ox. “I’m for keeping
on.” ;

“In this case,’ interposed Peter, “we must consult the
weakest of the party, rather than the strongest.”

The captain’s principle was all right; but its application
was not flattering to Master Ludwig. Shrugging his shoul-
ders, he retorted, —

“ Who’s weak? Not I,for one. But the wind’s stronger
than any of us. I hope you’ll condescend to admit that.”

“ Ha, ha!” laughed Van Mounen, who could barely keep
his feet. ‘So it is.”’

Just then the weather-vanes telegraphed to each other by a
peculiar twitch, and in an instant the gust came. It nearly