“I wonder if they will attempt to fight?” asked Harry, as he swept on beside Jack. “I hardly think so,” was the reply. “But if they do, we are five to three.” “I own dat Len Spencer a lickin’,” put in Pickles. “He won’t dare say one word to dis child or he dun cotch it, suah.” “Don’t start a fight,” warned Jack, earnestly. “We have the law on our side, and that’s enough.” By this time half the distance toward the _Icicle_ had been covered. During this interval those on board the iceboat had managed to swing about the main sheet. It was now filling, and the craft was beginning to draw slowly away from them. “Stop there!” shouted Jack, at the top of his lungs, and the others joined in the cry. “Good-by!” shouted Sully, derisively. “Hope you enjoy skating!” “We’ll have you locked up if you don’t stop!” yelled Boxy. “That is our property you are running off with!” “Rats!” returned Sully, but he and his companions were not a little disturbed by Boxy’s plain statement of facts. “We must put on more steam!” urged Harry. “If they once catch the wind fairly they will give us a nice chase across to the Lights.” “Never mind, we’ll catch them on the next tack!” said Andy. Nevertheless, the five boys put on a burst of speed which brought them to within a couple of hundred feet of the _Icicle_. “They are going to tack back!” cried Harry. “Now if we try----” “They are going to turn round and sail right with the wind!” burst in Jack. “Hurry up, or we’ll lose them and have to follow them to Rudskill, and goodness only knows how much farther!” Jack was right. Sully had given the order, and all hands on the Icicle were aiding in turning her bow up the river. The clumsy craft swung around in the wind while they were still just out of reach. Then the mainsail again caught the breeze, and off moved the iceboat at a livelier speed than ever. “We’re beaten!” gasped Andy. “No, we are not!” shouted Jack. “Come on, fellows! They have got to steer to the right to avoid that open flow over there!” Away he went, with Harry, Boxy and Pickles at his heels. Andy could not keep up the pace, and dropped a little behind. Harry felt as if he was once more in the five-mile race, and put forth every ounce of muscle that was in his sturdy limbs. Gradually he drew ahead of his companions and closer to the iceboat. Those on the _Icicle_ saw him gaining on them, and endeavored to increase their speed. But it was of no avail, the wind subsiding just a trifle when most needed by them. In another half-minute Harry was alongside of the iceboat. He attempted to jump on board, but Sully sprang at him and pushed him off. “Keep away, or I’ll crack you in the head!” shouted the bully of Rudskill, roughly. “This is our iceboat, and I am bound to get on board!” returned Harry. “Don’t you dare to touch me again, or you’ll get the worst of it.”