He
had adapted a "turn promenade" step from roller skating, and
was whirling along, turning and half dancing as he sped along.
It was a graceful, rhythmical performance. Despite the fact
that young Ripley was not widely liked, his present work drew
considerable applause from the spectators.
That applause acted like incense under the young man's nostrils.
He determined to go farther out, maintaining his present step
unbroken.
"Look out, Ripley!" warned Thomp. "The ice won't bear out there."
Fred didn't reply by as much as a look. He kept on out toward
the thin ice.
Cra-a-ack! Splash! The thin ice had broken. Ripley, moving
backwards, did not realize his fix until his feet; shot into the
water. Down he came on his back, breaking more of the ice.
A yell, and he was gone below the surface.
And now everybody seemed shouting at once. A hundred people ran
to and fro, shouting out what ought to be done.
"Get a rope! Run for a doctor! Bring fence rails! Telephone
for the police!"
That's the usual way with a crowd, to think up things that others
ought to do.
Dick Prescott espied Dave Darrin ahead. Dropping Laura's arm
without a word, Dick skated swiftly up to Dave, called Darrin,
then lightning. As he worked young Prescott shot out a few hurried
orders.
Then another great cry went up. Dick Prescott was sprinting fast
toward the thin ice. Close to where Fred Ripley had gone down
there was another great rent in the ice.
Pages:
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150