“Don’t tire yourself out so, Fred!” he told the other. “It’s all right, and we’re bound to get you out of there in a jiffy. Just hold on to the ice, and give us a chance to do something. We’re coming as sure as anything. Keep a grip on yourself, and don’t let go the ice for your life, Fred!”
Of course the further Dick got from the shore the more difficult it was to shove each new plank out to him. As no one dared step on the ice itself the boys were compelled to run out over the board line, deliver their burden, and then make back to the safety of the shore before the next one could start.
Two more planks would do the business, the second to be used sideways so as to afford a landing-stage, as Dick would have called it.
“Oh! hurry, Dick!” gasped Fred. “I’m mighty near all in, I tell you!”
“Forget that!” cried Dick, boisterously, and after that he kept on talking in a cheery manner to Fred, his intention being to make the other keep his mind off his condition of utter exhaustion.
The next plank brought him close to the hole which by this time was a pretty big one, as Fred had thrashed around furiously in the endeavor to help himself.
“Steady now, old fellow!” said Dick, as he crept out on his hands and knees, so as to come in touch with the other, and give him renewed confidence. “Peg’s fetching the last plank, and we’ll use it along the edge here, so you can get your knee on the same. Then I’ll drag, and you’ll shove, and out you’re going to come as neat as pie. Hurry, along, Peg, and then stand by to help!”
While saying this, Dick was gripping the chilled hand of Fred, whose eyes, filled with horror, were glued appealingly on his face.
“You won’t let me drop back, will you, Dick?” chattered the other between his rattling teeth, for the tremendous excitement and the cold water combined had taken his courage completely away.
“Not much!” asserted the boy who crouched on the plank. “See, here’s Peg right behind me with that board. Shove it along so I can place it where it’s going to do the most good, Peg. There you are, with a regular landing-stage that won’t break away when you climb up. Now, brace yourself, Fred, for a big effort; and you Peg, grip hold of my coat in the back so as to keep me steady when I pull!”