Towards the end of the month we all went a good deal upon the mill-dam, and Mr.Wood (assisted by me as far as watching, handing tools and asking questions went) made a rough sledge, in which he pushed Charlie before him as he skated; and I believe the village boys, as well as his own school-fellows, were glad that Cripple Charlie had a share in the winter fun, for wherever Mr.Wood drove him, both sliders and skaters made way.
And even on the pond there were no more real battles that winter.

Only now and then some mischievous urchin tripped up our brand-new skates, and begged our pardon as he left us on our backs.

And more than once, when "the island" in the middle of the pond was a very fairyland of hoar-frosted twigs and snow-plumed larches, I have seen its white loveliness rudely shaken, and skating round to discover the cause, have beheld Jem, with cheeks redder than his scarlet comforter, return an "accidental" shove with interest; or posed like a ruffled robin redbreast, to defend a newly-made slide against intruders..