It was so with Hank. Slowly, by means of the straps, he was pulled up until he could grasp the ice-boat.

"I—I'm all right now," he panted. "Get after Jim!"

He released his hold of the strap, and it was tossed to Jim. And not any too soon, either, for Jim could not hold on much longer. He was weak from the cold.

But he, too, was soon safely towed to a place where he could grasp the half-submerged ice-boat. All three was now comparatively safe.

"Now look out!" called Jed, as he threw back to Tommy[Pg 53] the buckled straps. "I'm going to work my way to the solid ice, and you two fellows follow. Can you do it?"

[Pg 53]

"We've got to!" cried Jim, desperately.

"Go ahead—I'm with you!" exclaimed Hank.

Slowly Jed edged his way to where the stern of the ice-boat rested on the solid, frozen surface. In a few seconds he was in safety, though he was wet and shivering, and his clothes were beginning to freeze to him.

"Come on!" he called to Hank and Jim, and they followed, but more slowly, for they were quite exhausted. But soon they, too, were safe.

"Oh, I'm so glad!" cried Sammy Brown.

"So am I!" echoed his two chums.

"And maybe we aren't also, youngsters!" chattered Jed, "We won't forget this on your part!"

"I should s-s-s-say n-n-n-not!" stammered Hank. "Those straps saved our lives!"

"Well, you'd better run home as soon as you can," advised Frank, "or you'll catch your death of cold."

"That's good advice," said Jed. "Come on. We can leave the ice-boat where it is for a while. I'm going to run and see if I can get warmed up. See you later, Sammy!"

He set off on a trot toward shore, his two soaked friends following. Sammy and his chums remained to look at the ice-boat. Some men and boys came up then, too late, however, to help in the rescue. Then the men got ropes and pulled the ice-boat up on the hard surface, whence it was hauled to where it was kept tied up. Some of the ropes 

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