In the meantime one boy threw out the end of his long tippet to Harry, who caught one end of it and tied it about Minnie’s wrist.
Then, suddenly, a boy came skating toward the crowd, carrying a long board. It was Boxy Woodruff!
“Here’s a board to get ’em out with!” he cried. “Now if—Minnie!”
He had not previously recognized his sister, and now at the discovery he almost fainted.
“Minnie! and Harry has gone in after her!” he murmured. “Oh, I hope they both get out safe!”
Willing hands had taken the board and shoved out one end toward the big hole in the ice.
“Get back!” shouted a cool-headed man. “Get back, every one, or there’ll be a dozen more in together!”
The warning came none too soon, for already the ice was cracking in a dozen directions. The crowd started back, only the man and Boxy remaining at the outer end of the board, to prevent it slipping around.
Bringing every ounce of his youthful strength into play, Harry caught hold of the end of the board, and slowly pulled himself out of the water, with Minnie half-clinging, half-held to his side. The ice groaned dismally, but did not break, and in a few seconds the two were safe once more.
Boxy caught Minnie in his arms just as the exhausted girl was on the point of fainting. A crowd of admiring boys surrounded Harry.