nage the
big sled, which, though large, was very light, as all toboggans are,
and thus are much safer than a sled with steel runners.

There was a long, but not too steep, hill near the cabin, and the
Curlytops and their playmates were soon at the top of this, with Uncle
Toby and the toboggan.

"All aboard!" called Mr. Bardeen, and they took their places on the
cushion, holding to the hand rails. Trouble was not allowed to go down
the first time, but Aunt Sallie had all she could do to keep him with
her as she stood at the top of the slope watching the coasting party.

"You shall soon have a ride, Trouble," Aunt Sallie promised. "As soon as
the hill is made a little smooth."

"All ready?" cried Uncle Toby.

"Let's go!" cried Ted.

Uncle Toby gave a push with his foot, which he had thrust out behind to
steer with, and down the snow-covered hill went the toboggan with its
happy load. They did not go very fast on this first trip, as the snow
needed to be packed down smooth and hard. But after the second or third
voyage the toboggan moved more swiftly.

"Do you like it Mary?" asked Janet.

"Oh, I just love it!" cried the other, with shining eyes.

Uncle Toby, finding that everything was safe, allowed the boys, one
after another, to try steering the light, wooden sled. Finding that they
could manage all right, he let them have charge of the toboggan, and at
last Trouble was allowed to coast down, sitting between Lola and Janet.

Of course Trouble wanted to take his turn at steering with the other
boys, but that was out of the question, even though he teased very much.
It would not have been safe, of course.

And such fun as the Curlytops and their playmates had! The toboggan was
much better than a sled, and safer, even though it went faster. It was
almost like flying with the snowbirds, Lola said.

Of course there were little accidents and upsets. Once, when Harry was
steering, the toboggan turned completely around when half way down the
hill and began sliding backward. And as the back end was blunt, having
no curve to slip easily over the snow, there was a turnover, and the
children were spilled all the way down the hill.

But they never minded that, only rolling over and over to the bottom, or
nearly there, laughing and shouting meanwhile. It was fun for Skyrocket,
too, the dog leaping here and there, barking and chasing snowballs which
the girls threw for him to race after.

Once they took Skyrocket down