As speedily as possible they lowered the sail of the ice-boat. But the momentum carried them closer and closer to the water, and at last they had to jump out on the ice to try to save themselves. All rolled over and over.
“Help! I’ll drown!” shrieked Mumps, when he found himself in the water. He floundered around, and so did his companions. Then Paxton stood up.
“Stand up—it’s not deep,” he called out, and they stood up and found the water only up to their waists. The ice-boat lay near, floating around on its side. Not far off was the bank of the lake.
“Birr! how cold!” came from Coulter.
“Don’t sa—say a wo—word!” chattered Mumps. “I—I—can—can’t get my br—br—breath!”
“Haul the ice-boat in,” came from Paxton, and in disgust they brought the craft to shore. Here they huddled close together, shivering from head to feet.
“I—I wi—wish we ha—had—hadn’t ta—ta—ta—taken the con—confounded bo—boat!” chattered Mumps. “Oh, this is dreadful! I’ll be frozen stiff in another minute!”
“How are we to get back?” questioned Coulter. “If we sail back we’ll be frozen to death before we re—reach th—the Hall.”
They stared at each other in dismay. They were in a pickle truly, and did not know how to help themselves.