"Soppinger, I guess."

"No, I think Walt Baxter was a little ahead of him."

"Nonsense! It was a tie between them."

"Three cheers for the Rover boys!" shouted Ned Lowe, and many cadets
joined in the cheering.

Jack and Randy were quickly surrounded by many of their chums and
congratulated on their success.

"It was a tie race between Soppinger and Baxter," announced Professor
Brice. "And that being so, I will give each of them a third prize," and
with this those two contestants had to be contented.

"You made that race in record time, Jack," announced Gif Garrison. "It
is better time by twelve seconds than was ever made before on this
lake."

"Well, where do I come in?" demanded Randy.

"You broke the record by ten seconds," was the reply. "And believe me,
that's some stunt!"

"I guess I was beaten fairly," announced Dan Soppinger, a little
ruefully; "so there is no use of complaining."

"Oh, it was a fair and square race sure enough," answered Walt Baxter.
"All the same, if my skates had been just a little sharper I think I
might have won," he added a little wistfully.

"Well, I am glad the honors stay in our family anyhow," announced Fred,
as he skated up, followed by Andy.

"And first and second prizes, too!" cried his cousin. "That ought to be
enough to hold the other fellows for awhile."

Jack and Randy were both panting from their exertions, but their faces
showed their satisfaction, and especially did Jack look his pleasure
when he happened to glance beyond the crowd of cadets and saw Ruth
Stevenson waving her hand toward him. Beside Ruth was May Powell, who
waved gaily to all of the Rovers.

"Fine race, boys! Fine race!" was Fatty Hendry's comment. "Just the
same, none of you would have been in it for a minute if I had entered,"
and at this joke there was a general laugh.

"Say, Fatty, you should have gone into it just to lose flesh," was
Andy's dry comment. "If you tried real hard, you might lose a pound a
mile," and at this there was another laugh.

The crowd began to gather around Jack and Randy and the others who had
won the race, and many wanted to shake hands with the oldest Rover boy.
Even some of the town folks skated up, and they were followed by some of
the girls from Clearwater Hall.

"I say, boys, this may not be safe!" cried Professor Brice suddenly,
when the crowd on the ice had become unusually thick. "This ice isn't as
strong as it might be."

"Yes, and with Fatty in t