The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1896-06-27

dered If girls ever had cares like boys.
"Docs it bear"
eyes, yes, I'm sure it does"
at froze hard last night"
II skated here earlier than this last
season."
"Be careful, young ladies'" put in the
warning voice of a teacher, as two
or three ran down the slight declivity
to the ice.
Its as firm as rock"
"What glorious slide! Come on,
girls!"
The merry peals and EXPLANATIONS
rose higher. Philip turned his head for
q moment to see members of the frolic-
some crowd darting this way and that
as they tried the smoothness of the ice.
A moment later sharper sounds cut
through the air. A cracking and rend-
ing of the ice-screams of dismay and
terror. As Philip rushed back fearful
scene met his shocked eyes. The greater
part of the ice had broken away and
sunk out of sight, leaving a dozen or
more of the girls in water of no great
depth. A few who had been so fortu-
nate as to have remained near the shore
were splashing their way out or climb
ing the steep banks.
With one glance Philip took in the
whole situation; then, with warning
cry, ran at full speed around to the
farther end of the pond. He knew every
inch of it, and knew. that some were
threatened with danger more serious
than that which might follow an icy
foot path.
$50 back-go the other way" he
called, wildly gesticulating to two who
were making their way toward him.
'eThe waters deep this way-go back"
One of the girls turned. The other,
with eyes wild with fright and bewil-
derment, still came toward the quarter
of the pond in which remained a surface
of unbrolxen ice. AS she advanced, the
water deepened about her, and she gazed
from one side to the other in increasing
alarm.
BY this time the news of the disaster
had spread, and the peoplewere gather
ing from every direction. Men ran into
the shallow water to give help. Before
long all had been rescued except the
one whom Philip was anxiously watch
ing.
Others were anxious, for all knew the
treacherous character of the bottom of
the pond just there. Toa approach might
mean death to two instead of one. She
was in the middle, water all around her,
except on one side, the ice toward which
she was making her way.
Phillip gazed desperately around him.
She must be helped out that way, but
how? No one could venture on the thin
ice.
On the bank lay wooden frame or
skid which had been used the winter
before in the ice-cutting season. With
help from others Philip drew it to the
ice and made fast to it rope which
had been brought. Then he knelt upon
the end of it.
"Give it a Shove" he directed, and
the frame slid over the ice toward the
girl.
1t brought him near enough to grasp
one of her trembling hands, and he
never forgot the look she turned upon
him.
"Oh-I thought was going down
here, with so many near"
"Not bit of it," said Philip, cheer
fully, notwithstanding little gasp as
the too vigorous push of his assistants
sent his knees into the water as the ice
bent under him.
"We're going to get out right off,
now," he went on. Don't take step
forward. It's deep water right ahead
of you. Now-the only way for me is
to drag you up on this"
With all his strength he pulled on her
hands, striving as well as her half par
alyzed limbs would allow her to mount
upon the skid. But to his sore dismay
Philip was soon obliged to see the hope
lessness of this means of rescue. With
every attempt the ice bent under him,
destroying the frail support.
"Can't you turn and walk the other
way?" implored Philip. "See-they are
ready to throw you ropes. 1t is your
best chance"
The poor girl half turned, but
whether from utter benumbing of her
limbs or from the SPECIFICATION of
fright, again laid trembling grasp upon
Philips hand.
1--WE must get boat" was cried from
the bank. at is the only thing to do"
"A boat!" came in gasp from the
girl. 81 shall die before it comes"
''You WON'T" said Philip, from be-
tween his chattering teeth. you're
not going to die with SO many all round
YOU"
The two or three boats which be-
lcnged to the school were always taken
out in the autumn and stored in
building near it. Very well Philip
knew that with the best efforts there
would be perilous delay in bringing
one.
Where's the key?" was asked, as men