Near Gaylor's Cove, however, the river current was so swift that the river ice at this point looked thin and treacherous.
No one ventured out on the ice just beyond the cove.
Friday night many a High School boy and girl studied the sky.
There was no sign of storm, nor did the conditions seem to threaten a thaw.

Saturday morning was cold and clear.

The temperature, at noon, was just above freezing point, though not enough so to bring about a "thaw" in the ice.
By one o'clock Saturday afternoon Gaylor's Cove was a scene of great activity.

Two thirds of the High School students were there, most of them on skates.

There were three or four hundred other youngsters, and more than a hundred grown-ups.
"All we need is the band," laughed Dick Prescott, as he skated slowly along with Laura Bentley.
"The click-clack of the skates is enough for me," Laura replied.
"You are not down in any of the girls' contests, are you ?" he asked.
"No; does that disappoint you, Dick ?" "N-no," he said, slowly.