CHAPTER XI. THE CRUISE OF THE "ICE BIRD"
The building of the ice boat by Bert and Charley Mason interested Nan almost as much as it did the boys, and nearly every afternoon she went down to the lumber yard to see how the work was getting along.
Mr. Bobbsey had given Bert just the right kind of lumber, and had a man at the saw-mill saw the sticks and boards to a proper size. He also gave his son some ropes and a pair of old iron runners from a discarded sleigh, so that all Charley had to provide was the bed-sheet already mentioned, for a sail.
The two boys worked with a will, and by Thursday evening had the ice boat completed. They christened the craft the Ice Bird , and Bert insisted upon it that his father come and see her.
"You have certainly done very well," said Mr. Bobbsey. "This looks as if you were cut out for a builder, Bert." "Well, I'd like to build big houses and ships first-rate," answered Bert. The sail was rigged with the help of an old sailor who lived down by the lake shore, and on Friday afternoon Bert and Charley took a short trip. The Ice Bird behaved handsomely, much to the boys' satisfaction. "She's a dandy!" cried Bert. "How she can whiz before the wind." "You must take me out soon," said Nan. "I will," answered Bert. The chance to go out with Bert came sooner than expected. On Monday morning Mrs. Mason made up her mind to pay a distant relative a visit and asked Charley if he wished to go along. The boy wanted to see his cousins very much and said yes; and thus the ice boat was left in Bert's sole charge. "I'll take you out Monday afternoon, after school," said Bert to his twin sister.
