ng of it.

"I have been in six races on skates," he declared, "and I won every one
of them."

"He must be a famous skater," said Tom, when he learned of this. "Dick,
I don't think you'll stand much show against him."

"I don't know. Do you know what I think of Peter Slade? I think he is a
big blower."

"I think that myself. Still, if he has won six races he must know
something about racing."

"Well, if I lose I shan't cry over it," said Dick, and there the talk
ended.

The race was to be for two miles,--a mile up the lake shore and a mile
back. At the appointed hour the contestants lined up, and at a word from
George Strong, who had consented to start them, they were off.

It was easy to see that Peter Slade was a good skater, and with hardly
an effort he went to the front during the first quarter of the race. But
then Larry and Dick began to push him, and when the mile turn was made
Larry was but two yards in the rear, with Dick almost on his heels.

"Go it, Slade, you can win easily!"

"Catch him, Larry!"

"Put on more steam, Dick!" yelled Tom, enthusiastically.

And then the turning point was passed by all the racers and the struggle
on the homestretch commenced.

CHAPTER XXVI

THE SKATING RACE

For nearly half a mile Peter Slade kept the lead with ease, but then his
breath began to fail him. Looking over his shoulder, he saw both Larry
and Dick crawling up.

"No, you don't!" he muttered, and put on a fresh burst of speed that
increased his lead by two yards.

"Peter Slade is going to win!"

"See how he is running away from the others!"

So the cries arose and it certainly looked as if the youth mentioned
could not possibly be defeated.

But now both Larry and Dick "dug in for all they were worth," as they
themselves expressed it. While there was yet a quarter of a mile to be
covered Dick made a spurt and ranged up alongside of his chum.

"Sorry, but I've got to go ahead!" he cried, gaily.

"Come on, we'll both go!" yelled Larry, good naturedly, and then the
pair put on a fresh effort and in a moment ranged up on either side of
Peter Slade.

"Hullo, they are in a line!"

"There goes Larry Colby ahead!"

"Dick Rover is going with him!"

"Say, but that is skating, eh? Just look at Dick strike out!"

"Sandwick is coming up, too!"

"And so is Marley!"

The last reports were true. The fourth and fifth boy were now directly
behind Slade. As Dick and Larry shot ahead, still sid