“Tom—Sid, lend me a hand with this rudder!” cried Dutch. “It’s jammed!”
The three students tried in vain to change the course of the craft. Nearer and nearer it came to the luckless two, who were on the frozen river. There was a scream of fear, a chorus of angry cautions, and then the ice boat struck.
The feet of Professor Tines went gracefully from under him, and he sat down on the very bow of the ice boat, clinging to a mast stay. As for Miss Philock, she was struck by one of the runners, tossed into the air, and came down in the blanket-padded cockpit, fortunately striking none of the boys.
Then, with a lurch the boat slewed around, and headed for shore. A moment later, being unguided, she seemed to change her mind, and did a sort of waltz and two-step combined. Next, with a sharp swing, the craft turned gracefully on her side, and there was a splintering sound as the mast snapped, and the sail came down, like a blanket over all.
[CHAPTER X]
A MISSING PICTURE
“This is an outrage! It was done purposely! I shall demand severe punishment for the perpetrators of it!”
Thus exclaimed Professor Emerson Tines, his voice half smothered under the sail of the ice boat.
“Oh, what has happened? Are we sinking? Are we going through the ice?” cried Miss Philock.