The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-07-22

eu the larger pOy.
"It is Philip! I'll go-let me-" ex-
claimed George, coming forward. He
was very pale and his large eyes were
strained to the utmost.
swell, keep steady about it, and
don't be a coward. Here, take off your
boots-take this pole-slide out as far
as you can, and when the ice gets thin
and begins to crack, lie down fat and
work yourself along. When you get
close to the hole, push along the stick
and hold on to the end of it while he
lifts himself out. Hold strong Mind
you don't 90 too near"
Half-a-dozen boys at once were Civ
ing these directions to the bewildered
boy. -,
ayes: I WILL" he answered, dream
lily, and slid away, scarcely conscious
whether on his feet or on his head.
owen push a board after you,'
shouted the boys.
/" Help! help!" came more family
Philips cry. 1t seemed to come to from
under the ice. He looked down, anc
his blood ran chill. The water looked
cold, deep, and black, underneath.
Just then cracking sound alarmed
him, as he came upon track of wbitish
ice. He cautiously lowered himself on
his hands and kne s, and wound himself
along until he could plainly see the hole
by raising up his head. He scarcely
knew what to do next.
"Philip 70 he called tremuously.
"Oh, help, for Gods sake ! l can't
hold ON much longer-I am dying Of
cold " groaned the boy.
"Where are you Phil ?" l
"Down here-can't you see me 7"
care you under the ice 7" George
asked, for the head had disappeared
from his sight.
"Most DOWN. I am trying to hold
on to tree, but my fingers are numb
Oh, dear, dear-Uomf somebody helI
|me ?"
"Cant you catch this pole, Phil 7"
George stretched it across the chasm.
t" You can't hold it strong enough
dare not let 60 the tree. Oh, dear, /
shall drown!' 20
"Do take hold, Phil-do! III hold
with all my might"
The sinking boy stretched up one halt
frozen hand, and caught the stick. He
partly raised himself by it, but sank
again.
"Take the other hand, Phil" shout
ed his little brother. I can hold it
know I can"
Thus encouraged the drowning boy
let 20 the twig which had supported hin
and Fl mly grasped the pole. He lifted
himself by it. George pressed firmly
the other end, straining every nerve.
At one moment, it seemed to him that
he must give way, and himself be drawn
into the abyss; then the ice all seemed
cracking, and his ears rang, but the
next moment Phil was out the water,
lying on the edge Of the ice.
"There ere-there-Phil, I told you SO.
Now only crawl off Gttle-be just as
careful as you ever can"
"Oh, I can't move," murmured the
boy, nearly stupefed by the intense cold.
Z" My hands J"
George crept as near him as he dared,
and pulling off his own red mittens,
stretched them over his brothers. blue,
icy hands. Then he took his comfort
er, and tying ir around Philips arms,
succeeded in pulling him little way
from the hole. The boys shouted ap-
plause behind him. Some Of the more
adventurous were already creeping with
a board, which they pushed to the two:
George, by renewed exertion, dragged
bis heavy brother upon this board and
drew it short distance, until he could
be safely joined by others. He did not
once think of himself, though wet to the
skin, and destituted Of cap, comforter
and mittens.
Philip revived after reaching the shore
and being rubbed few minutes by his
mates. Two of them supported him upl
the hill to his home, escorted by the re-
mainder. They sent George forward to|
announce their coming, and order al
warm bed to be prepared for the rescu-
ed boy.
George met his mother at the gate.
She, bareheaded and deathly pale, was
rushing towards the playground: she
had Just heard that a boy had broken
through the ice, and too truly foreboded
that Il was one of her own boys. GEORGE
caught her arm, laughing aloud in his
nervous excitement, and screamed
&C Oh. mother, he's QUIT He's coming.