Tommy Todd. That small boy, however, was a good skater and stopped just in time, for he had seen the ice-boat coming.
Then with a whizz and a clink of ice, as the runners of the boat scraped big chips from the frozen lake, the skimming boat shot past Nan and Bert, not doing a bit of harm, but scaring all five children very much.
"Sorry! Didn't see you! Next time———"
This was what the man in the ice-boat shouted as he whizzed by. His last words seemed whipped away by the wind and the children did not know what he meant.
"Maybe he meant next time he'd be sure to run into us," said Tommy Todd.
"Oh, he wouldn't do that!" declared Bert. "That was Mr. Watson. He buys lumber from my father. I guess he meant that next time he'd give us a ride."
"Oh, my!" exclaimed Nan. "Would you ride in one of those dangerous things, Bert Bobbsey?"
"Would I? Well, just give me the chance! How about you. Tommy?"
"I should say so! They're great!"
