"Yes. And no end of a good fellow," declared Tom. "But, my aunt! don't his sister rig him, though? Asked old Bobbins if he had the croup?" and Tom went off into a burst of laughter.
"Do you mean the tall, light-haired boy?" Ruth queried.
"Yes. They're skating back toward the steamboat now—see, towards the stern."
"That is Mary Cox with your friend," said Ruth, a little gravely.
"Hullo!" ejaculated Tom, again.
He started ahead at full clip, bearing Ruth on with him. Something had happened to the couple Tom and Ruth had noticed. They swerved to one side and suddenly Bob Steele went down.
"His skate's broke!" erred Tom. "Hope old Bobbins isn't hurt. Great Scott! the girl's with him!"
Mary Cox had indeed fallen. For a moment the two figures, flung by the momentum of their pace, slid over the ice. There came a wild shout from those nearer the boat—then a splash!
"They're in the water!" cried Ruth, in horror.
She retarded Tom very little, but dashed forward, keeping in stroke with him. She heard Tom whisper: