“And you, Madge?” cried Tom.
“Yes, but be quick—as you can,” she said, and her voice was faint.
“Off with our skates! Lay the rails on the ice and they’ll support our weight!” cried Sid, catching Tom’s idea, and leaping toward a fence on shore.
It was done in a trice, and, a moment later several long rails were stretched over the gaping hole. This gave firm support, and willing hands and sturdy arms soon raised the two dripping figures from the ice-cold water. The girls all but collapsed as they were dragged to safety.
“What shall we do with ’em?” asked Frank, who, truth to tell, had hitherto had little to do with girls.
“We must get them to some warm place at once!” cried Tom. “There’s a house over there. Mabel, you and Helen run over and tell ’em to get the fires good and hot, and have plenty of hot water. We’ll bring the girls over. Come boys, off with our coats and wrap ’em up.”
“Oh, but you’ll get c-c-c-cold!” protested Madge.
“What of it?” cried Sid sharply, as he peeled off his thick jacket and wrapped it around the shivering girl. His companions covered Ruth, and then Tom had an idea.
“Make a chair, fellows!” he cried. “A chair with our hands, and two of us can carry each girl. It’s the quickest way. Their dresses are freezing now.”