Just my luck! Scarcely were the words out of my lips than there was an ominous sound.
"That's nothing. I thought everybody knew that virgin ice make eccentric noises; we're the first to test its quality. That shows how safe it is."
"Does it? I think there may be something in your theory about the middle being best. Suppose we cross to the other side again."
The sound did go on.
"It's because we're skirting the shore. If you'll admit that I am right for once in a way I'll concede that you may be."
"I'll concede anything if you'll come away from this."
"Then I'll race you to our starting-point!"
We had been keeping within perhaps a dozen feet of the land. Sharply turning I made for the centre. I had not taken half a dozen strides when the cracking noise increased to a distinctly uncomfortable degree. I felt the ice heaving beneath my feet. He was at my side; it was preposterous to talk about racing him level. He could have given me seventy-five yards out of a hundred.
"We have struck a bad place. Don't stop; go as fast as you can."
"I'm going as fast as I can. I shall be all right. You go in front."