steamboat now--see, towards the
stern."

"That is Mary Cox with your friend," said Ruth, a little gravely.

"Hullo!" ejaculated Tom, again.

He started ahead at full clip, bearing Ruth on with him. Something had
happened to the couple Tom and Ruth had noticed. They swerved to one
side and suddenly Bob Steele went down.

"His skate's broke!" erred Tom. "Hope old Bobbins isn't hurt. Great
Scott! the girl's with him!"

Mary Cox had indeed fallen. For a moment the two figures, flung by the
momentum of their pace, slid over the ice. There came a wild shout
from those nearer the boat--then a splash!

"They're in the water!" cried Ruth, in horror.

She retarded Tom very little, but dashed forward, keeping in stroke
with him. She heard Tom whisper:

"Poor old Bobbins! he'll be drowned!"

"No, no, Tom! We can get to them," gasped Ruth.

Indeed, she and her escort were the nearest to the open place in the
lake into which Bob Steele and Mary Cox had fallen. If anybody in
sight could help the victims of the accident Tom and Ruth could!

CHAPTER XXII

THE HARPIST ONCE MORE

Over all, Ruth wore a woolen sweater--one of those stretchy, clinging
coats with great pearl buttons that was just the thing for a skating
frolic. It had been her one reckless purchase since being at
Briarwood, she and Helen having gone down into Lumberton on Saturday
and purchased coats. While Ruth and Tom were yet some yards from the
open water the girl began to unbutton this.

"Careful, Tom!" she gasped. "Not too near--wait!"

"It's thick 'way to the edge," he returned, pantingly.

"No, it isn't. That's why Mary Cox went in. I saw the ice break under
her when she tried to turn and escape."

Thus warned, Tom dug the heel of his right skate into the ice as a
brake, and they slowed down.

Ruth let go of his hand and wriggled out of her coat in a moment. Then
she dropped to her knees and slid along the ice, while Tom flung
himself forward and traveled just as though he were sliding down hill.

"Take this, Tom!" cried Ruth, and tossed the coat to him. "We'll make
a chain--I'll hold your feet. Not too near!"

"Hold on, Bobbins!" yelled young Cameron. "We'll have you out in a
minute!"

Mary Cox had screamed very loudly at first; and she struggled with her
fellow victim, too. Bob Steele was trying to hold her up, but finally
he was obliged to let her go, and she went under water with a gurgling
cry.

"Grab her aga