Harper's Young People, February 15, 1881

In the snow‑bound village of Cuzco Centre, winter means more than cold—it means the fierce competition of hill‑coasting. The East and West hills each claim their own bragging rights, and the arrival of Court Hoffman’s gleaming new sled, the “ripper,” sparks fresh rivalry. With its daring half‑wheel steering gear, the ripper promises a ride as swift as lightning, though many of the older townsfolk scoff at its unconventional design.

Enter Rodney Sanderson, a pragmatic boy with a penchant for tinkering. He discovers an old double‑seated sleigh in his father’s barn and envisions turning it into a makeshift coaster, complete with a makeshift rudder to steer like a ship. Together with friends like Put Willoughby, they labor to reshape the battered vehicle, eager to test their creation on the next moonlit night. Their youthful ingenuity and the promise of a thrilling descent set the stage for a winter adventure that will test both skill and friendship.