THE COUNTRY IN WINTER 



tume, for every garment must be warm and close, with 

 no loose ends for the wind to seize. Gingerly we step 

 on the "deck" of the shivering craft, quickly we lie at 

 full length, the fur robes tucked snugly about us ; with 

 cushions under elbows and with heads lightly raised we 

 must bear likeness to turtles. "Ready?" sings out the 

 captain, and "Ready," comes our muffled response. 

 Then a moment of suspense as the sail swings into the 

 breeze ; we are off, whizzing away to the end of the lake. 

 I confess I ducked and shut my eyes tight in that first 

 breathless moment, the rushing ice is close to one's 

 clasping fingers, the fierce gale is humming in one's 

 ears, the taut sail is snapping; but when at last I dare 

 to look, the speed seems less terrifying, and I begin to 

 enjoy the thrill of rapid motion. "What are we going 

 to do now?" I gasp as the shore looms threateningly be- 

 fore us. Nearer and nearer comes that sandy bluff, 

 larger and larger grow those forest trees, and still our 

 speed continues. "Shall we crash headlong into it?" 

 Even beneath my close-fitting aviator's cap my hair be- 

 gins to stand on end. "Is there anybody at the helm? 



259 



