He scrambled up, jarred and bruised, and just as he did so, Fred saw the great overhanging mass of snow on the top of the bluff sway forward.
“Jump!” he yelled. “The snow! Quick! For your lives!”
The other boys looked up and skated from under. Sid made a desperate lunge forward, but too late. With a sullen roar the snow came down and buried him from sight.
There were exclamations of fright and horror. Andy skated away, panic-stricken. Most of the boys lost their heads. Two or three shouted for help.
Fred alone remained cool. With one motion, he unclamped his skates and threw them from him. The next instant he had plunged into the tons of snow and his arms were working like flails as he threw the masses aside.
“Quick, fellows!” he shouted. “Go at it, all of you! He’ll smother if we don’t get him out right away!”
Inspired by his example, the others pitched in, working like beavers. Other boys coming up aided in the work of cleaving a way to their imprisoned schoolmate.
Their frantic energy soon brought results.
“I touched him then, fellows!” cried Fred. “Hurry, hurry,” he added, as he himself put forth redoubled efforts.
A few minutes more and they had uncovered Sid’s head and shoulders. His eyes were closed and he seemed to be unconscious.