CHAPTER XII
THE CURIOUS DEER
"Quick! A rope!"
"No, boards are better!"
"Fence rails will do!"
"Oh, get him out, someone!"
These were only some of the cries uttered, following the accident to Mr. Sneed. Meanwhile he was doing his best to keep himself above water by grasping the edge of the ice.
But it crumbled in his fingers, and he was so shocked by the sudden immersion, and by the cold, and his skates were so heavy on his feet, that he went down again and again. Fortunately the lake was not deep at that point, and as he went down his feet would touch bottom, and he could spring up again.
"Don't go out there!" warned Mr. Pertell, as Paul started for the spot.
"Why not?" asked the young actor.