Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1916-06-08

which, two years before, their faith
err had brought from the town in
the pocket of his great coat.
They all started off to the hill
from which the boys could look
back and sae their house. They did
not coast down on that side though /
but went over the knoll where the
slope was sleeper.
From this side they could see
only the meadows below, and a lit
tie corner of Black Duck Pond, and
the trees that grew beyond.
The first slide carried the boys
well OFT on the lsvel meadow. Skip
raced Eeside them in high glee,
Lets take him down with us
this time said Roger when they
had climbed the bill again. And SO
the little dog rode down in Fred's
arms while Roger steered. He sat
very quiet until the RED Racer,
that was the name of the sled, had
stopped; then he leaped about and
barked delightedly.
He caught the sled rope in his
me nth and tugged and pulled, and
would have tried to pull the sled
UP the hill again if the boys had let
him.
why not try the sleeper slope
over there?" said Fred, when they
had reached the top of the hill.
along past the edge of the pond"
we'll go faster, and can skim
along past the edge of the pond,''.
So they tried the sleeper slope.
The sled shot down so fast that
they came near running into a
clump of bushes. but Roger pull
led it sharply to the left, and it
sped on with still greaer speed.
Another turn to the left to avoid
a snow covered rock, brought them
down to the edge of Black Duck
Pond, and before Roger could turn
the Red Racer, boys, dog, and sled
We're slipping down the bank and
out on the snow covered ice.
Roger knew that the ice was thin,
and gave the steering rope a
quick pull to the right to point
their course for the land, but he
yanked too hard and the Red Racer
lurched and turned over.
Skip and the sled went one way.
Roger and Fred the other. There
was crack of breaking ice. and the
next instant the boys were strug-
Cling i'm the water.
They went down over their heads
and came UP gasping. They reach
ed out for the edges of the broken
ice. and chung there desperately,
too badly frightened to cry out.
Not more than a dozen feet away
lay the Red Racer OH its side and
Skip was looking at them as if he
were wondering what they were
doin there.
The boys put their arms on the
ice and began to draw themselves
up. Their shoulders were above the
water when the ice on the edge
broke and let them fall back.
Roger kept his hold but Fred's
hands missed the smooth surface
and he sank from sight. A moment
later he came UP and Roger with
one hand held him until he again
had grip an the ice.
Again the boys tried to climb out
and again the ice gave way. They
tried third time but the ice
would not hold them.
1t was no use, they could not get
out that way. Side by side they
chung with only their heads above
TIE water. They were numb with
cod and their strength was almost
gone.
Skip had come close to the edge
Of the ice, now, and stood looking
at them. Once he barked as if to
ask, What are you doing?"
I've got to let go in minute
Fred gasped, What shall we do?"
Here. Skip cried Roger, The
sled, bring the Sled
The dog only wagged his tail.
Roger raised one hand out of the
water and pointed. There, see. The
led"
Skip turned and took step to-
ward the sled, then looked back.
Yes, that's it." cried Roger; and
he dog Went to the sled and took
he steering rope in his mouth.