fashion, and the carpet seat was an old and faded one. But
it had a new gong and a fine big steering wheel.

"All ready for the race," cried Danny, as he got his sled in position.
"Who's going down with me?"

A number of boys came forward.

"Who's going with Bert and me?" asked Charley, and several others
stepped forward.

"Go ahead, if you want to come in last!" sneered Danny, as he got his
sled in place. "I'll tell 'em you're coming, Bert."

"All right," was the cool answer. "Get in, boys!"

Soon both sleds were filled, and all was ready for the big race--the
first of the season.

CHAPTER XVIII

A NIGHT ALARM

"ARE you all ready?" called Danny to Bert, looking over at the homemade
bob, and there was something like contempt in his tone.

"All ready," answered Bert. "I'll start as soon as you give the word."

"We ought to have someone to shove us off," suggested Danny. "It won't
be fair if one or the other gets a headstart."

"Hi! He's afraid already!" cried Charley Mason. "He knows we're going
to beat!"

"I am not!" retorted Danny. "It will be a walkover for me once I
start. But I don't want Bert Bobbsey saying I took advantage of him,
after the race is over."

"You needn't be afraid--I won't say so--I won't have to," replied Bert.
"All the same I think it would be better if we each had a push. I want
to be fair, too."

"Hey, Bert!" called a shrill voice, as the elder Bobbsey lad was
looking about for some on the hill to whom he might appeal. "Can't I
ride down with you, Bert?"

It was Freddie who called, and he came running up, anxious to take part
in the exciting race.

"No, Freddie, not this time," explained Bert kindly. "I want only
large boys with me in the race. I'll give you a ride afterward."

"After I beat him, he means," sneered Danny.

"Come on, let's race if we're going to," called some of the boys on
Danny's sled.

"Yes; don't stay here all day."

"Get a move on!"

"We'll beat, anyhow, what's the use of racing?"

There were only a few of things that those on the big new sled of
Danny's, called to those on Bert's bob. On their part Bert's friends
voiced such remarks as:

"We're not so strong on looks, but we'll get there first!"

"We're going to give Danny a tow to the bottom of the hill!"

"He won't know he's moving, once Bert's sled gets started going!"

"Well, what are we going to do?" asked Danny at last. "Shall we shove
off ourselves?"

Just then th