“Um!” grunted Ned, but what he thought he did not say.
Up and down the lake sailed the _Petrel_, and as the sun was declining, Bob called to Jerry:
“Head her down to Simpson’s and we’ll have something to eat.”
“Oh, eating is my strong point!” Chunky confessed.
The ice-boat was skimming down the lake, when there suddenly sounded a boom like the report of a cannon.
“The ice cracked,” Jerry answered. “It often does that after a thaw. I guess----”
“Look out!” yelled Bill. “There’s open water just ahead!”
A big crack had opened in the ice, just in front of the ice-boat, and before Jerry could steer to one side the _Petrel_ plunged in.
“Jump!” yelled Jerry, casting aside the mainsheet.
As the boat splashed into the cold water the boys, leaping free of her, went in also, but on either side.
Jerry saw his two chums and Bill strike out as they hit the water, but he also had a glimpse of Bart throwing up his hands with a gesture of despair, and in a flash it came to Jerry.
The lad had so confessed some time ago, admitting he had a terror of being in the water, though not afraid to go out in a boat.
Jerry launched himself through the ice-cold element and grasped Bart by the collar. Holding him up with one hand, he swam toward the ice-boat, which had turned over on one side. It was floating and would support them all for a time.
Ned, Bob and Bill had already reached the craft, but Bart was struggling frantically.
“I--I can’t swim!” he gasped, spluttering the words as water got in his mouth.
“Keep still!” cried Jerry. “I’ll save you!”
This he did. By dint of hard work he managed to get Bart to the ice-boat and put his arms over it.
“Hold on!” panted Jerry. “Help’s coming.”
Another ice-boat and several skaters who had seen the accident were hurrying to the rescue. Help was given promptly, fence rails and ropes from the other boat being secured to assist the boys out of the water.
Then, dripping wet, and shivering with cold, they were hurried to Simpson’s, where hot blankets and hot drinks promptly administered were used to prevent pneumonia.
“You--you saved my life, Jerry,” said Bart, earnestly, when they were sitting before a warm fire, waiting for a conveyance to take them back to Boxwood Hall. “I--I won’t forget it.”