She seized her child and sprang down the steps towards it.
Haley caught sight of her as she disappeared down the bank.

Throwing himself from his horse, and calling loudly to Sam and Andy, he was after her in a moment.
In that terrible moment her feet scarcely seemed to touch the ground.
The next, she was at the water's edge.
On they came behind her.

With one wild cry and flying leap, she jumped right over the water by the shore, on to the raft of ice beyond.

It was a desperate leap.

Haley, Sam, and Andy cried out, and lifted up their hands in astonishment.
The great piece of ice pitched and creaked as her weight came upon it.
But she stayed there not a moment.