News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1886-02-04

though it would snap apart.
At last, much to the boys relief, they
found that they really did gain upon
the Ice Queen. Now they could plainly
see the frightened look upon Madge's
face as she crouched on a seat close to
the helm, both hands clutching the side
of the ice-boat.
"Put her aboutr' shouted Stephen to
her. "Don't you see YOU are making
right for the wateri You'll be
drowned" o..
Madge looked wildly round, but did
not move.
''She doesn't underestimate P' exclaimed
Eugene despairingly.
"Push the helm away from your
shouted Stephen, making the motion
with his hands.
But Madge only looked nore bewild-
cred than ever.
"She don't know anything" cried
Eugene in Mortified surprise
"Let the sail fy, s23n - quick,
quick!' yelled Stephen. '1a5heres the
water in sight. Oh, she 7.oesn't even
understand thatl Unite tie ropel-un-
tie the rope"
LuTuGO nCA duu
stared at the sail. AS she did so she
caught sight of the water and seemed to
comprehend all her danger; for she gave
pitiful cry, and, crouching down, hid
her face in her hands.
"What shall we do now9" asked Eu-
gene desperately.
"Steer SO as to run close against the
Ice Queen; but don't strike, or we will
all be killed." replied Stephen.
And he crawled along the frame OF
the boat until he reached the bow, and
kneeling down by the mast took knife
from his pocket and opened it.
"Now," cried Stephsn, as he bent
forward, the knife firmly grasped in his
right hand, and his left arm tightly
clasping the mast.
In second the two boats almost
touched, and Stephens knife came down
with swift, sharp movement upon the
strained sheet-line.
The Ice Queen gave shudder, slid
on for few yards, and then stood still.
Eugene soon slackened the speed OF
their boat, and Stephen jumped out and
ran to the little girl.
care you hurt2" he cried.
Madge looked up at Stephen through
her fingers and shook her head; then
she glanced at the water into which she
had so nearly lsecn plunged.
| 81 couldn't let the sail fly out, )" she
sobbed, "because l don't know how,
and l did not know where the other
thing was. Oh, please take me home
I am so cold and tired"
"All rightr replied Stephen. '1'l
take care of you now."
Then he took blanket from his OWE
boat and wrapped it around the shiver
ing little creature; and tying the sever
ed sheet line of the Ice Queen, he turn
ed her bow up the river. In a few mo
ments both boats were moving rapidly
toward Mossbank.
The chase had led them long dis
tance from home-so far that they were
quite out of sight of the village. But
presently they saw number of people
some running along on the bank anC
others skating toward them on the
river.
The first to reach the boats was Mr.
Turner. He looked vako pale and ex
Madge was uninjured ~ Seized hano
Of each of the boys and shook it warmly
Soon they were surrounded by {
crowd, who praised and applaudet
Eugene and Stephen for their bravery
until they made their escape.
The next morning Mr.. Turner met th'
two boys. After thanking them agar
and again, he said:
''WiIl you do me the favor of taking
the Ice Queen away from my boat-hous'
and using it yourselves2 l shall neve,
enter it myself after this"
The boys changed the name of thei'
new boat to the Madge, and day after
day, as long as the ice lasted, the 1cicl'
and the Madge might be seen skim
ming along side by side.
Little Madge and her uncle offer
came to the bank to speak to Eugene
and Stephen; but they never could b.
persuaded to take another trip in the
ice boat. - Golden Days.