Part 9 (2/2)
”Don't let hi as he's alive, he'll give us trouble We've got to finish him up now Come on, fellows”
Off dashed the lad on a run, and Brick and Hamp followed They skimmed over a dozen yards of ice and then slackened speed Just ahead was a small, bluish spot, but none noticed it
”Confound the beast!” exclaiht so quickly”
He ran on for several yards, heedless of his peril Then he struck the thin shell of ice on an air-hole, and like a flash he vanished from the eyes of his horrified companions
CHAPTER VIII
MR RAIKES OF PORTLAND
The catastrophe was one of appalling swiftness Brick and Hamp could scarcely realize what had happened The hole that had sed Jerry up yawned at their very feet
It was less than two feet in diaed The surface of the deep, blue water went swirling around and around, as though an under-current existed Doubtless there was one, and it had sucked Jerry far down He did not reappear, though the boys strained their eyes on the fatal spot The seconds went by--twenty--half a ony
”Jerry, Jerry!” he cried aloud
”Look out!” exclaio in, too
It's all up with poor Jerry There's no hope--not an atom”
His voice quavered and broke; he dashed a tear fro, too Loud sobs burst froer reached the spot He had seen the accident from a distance
”Which one was it?” he demanded ”Which one? Tell e request, and he spoke in eager, excited tones But the boys were too much concerned to notice such a trifle
”It--it was Jerry,” sobbed Hamp
”Jerry who?”
”Jerry--Jerry Brenton”
”Brenton? Ah!”
The man's voice and manner showed intense relief