Wider and wider grew the distance between Merriwell and Rains, showing that the former was by far the faster skater in such a case as this.
As Frank drew near the girls, the ice broke again, and both went under.
He did not slacken speed, but, taking care to avoid them, skated straight into the water.
Clinging to each other, the girls came up; but they would have sunk again immediately if he had not been there to clutch them.
Treading water, he held them up, getting close to the ragged edge of the ice.
The water was fearfully cold, but he managed to keep his head out, knowing aid must come quickly.
Paul Rains slackened his speed as he came near the opening in the ice.
"Form a line—get hold of my feet!" he shouted.
Down upon his stomach he went, and he slid forward till he could reach out and grasp one of the girls.
There he lay till another lad clutched his feet, and still others grasped the feet of the one who had hold of Paul.