AN ACCIDENT. 25

some chimneys showed amidst a cluster of
trees.

Nellie dashed off as fast as her trembling
feet would take her.

The doctor’s daughter knew very well nearly
every pond in Milbury, for her father was fond

- of fishing, and she was his constant companion.
This was how she came to be aware that this
piece of water was in no part more than four
feet deep.

She stepped on to the ice, which bore her
weight, though she could hear it eracking all
round by the bank, and began to walk care-
fully towards the hole. She was very near,
when, with a sudden “crishing” sound, she
was plunged into the water, which was so cold
it made her gasp for breath.

By catching at the edges of the ice she could
just manage to keep upright and wade forward,
feeling about in all directions for poor Harry.

The thin ice as she held by it broke away
again and again, so that she moved by degrees
further out into the centre. At last her foot
touched something; she grasped at it quickly,
and drew to the surface the helpless form of
the little boy, who was quite insensible.