"He'll land," said Nell; "it won't delay him much to do that."
"Not so sure," grunted David, and he kept on looking back over his shoulder.
Nell was just going to beg him not to do it, because it checked their speed a little, when he gave a crow of triumph and stopped short.
Nell perforce stopped, while in her ears rang a sharp far-away splitting sound.
Mr. Jan Stenson had reached the weak spot--and the ice had gone under with him.
From side to side of the river behind the two came reports, as the ice gave in all directions.
"Oh," gasped Nell, "what ought we--to do!"
"I believe you want to go back and help him out! I say, Nell, you really are!"
"But, Da, it's rather awful!"
"Oh no. Only awfully wet, and jolly cold. Look, he's got his arms over the edge of the ice and is breaking along towards the shore. He'll get out--in the end. Come on."