SKATING ON THE RIVER. 193

He came to the thin place Tom had pointed
out, and glided half way over it, when the ice
cracked, and in went George Cramer, under
water. In a moment he rose to the surface and
held on to the side of the ice. It gave way,
and down he went again.

“A plank—a plank,” shouted Tom Mixon.
“ Help me with the plank you see yonder.”

The plank, or long board, was immediately
dragged to the thin place, which would not
bear the weight of a skater. It was laid along
upon the ice to the edge where it had been
broken, in the vain attempts of George to get
out.

Tom took off his skates, that he might stand
more firmly upon the plank, and walking upon
it nearly to the end, he threw himself down
upon it and reached out his arms towards
George, crying out:

“ Courage! courage! Cramer; you are safe,
you are safe.”

George had sunk almost exhausted to the
bottom, and now came up along side of Tom,
but under the ice, within reach of his hand.

Tom, with his stout fist, gave a blow to the ice;
13