CHAPTER X.
THE END OF THE TERM.
"The ice has gone down!" "Some of the boys will be drowned!" "Get some boards and a rope, quick!" These and a score of other cries rang out.

In the meantime those near to the hole skated with all speed to one place of safety or another.
Some of the imperiled boys who had not gone down very deeply managed to scramble out with wet feet or wet lower limbs only, but when the crowd had drawn back it was seen that three boys were floundering in the chilling water over their heads.

These boys were George Granbury and Frank Harrington, who had been supporting Tom on their shoulders, and Tom himself, who had been dropped into the opening head first by the frightened lads.
Realizing that something must be done at once, Mr.Strong ran to the boathouse, which was close at hand, and soon reappeared, carrying a long plank.

He was followed by a boy with a rope, and several boys brought more planks and more ropes.
[Illustration: THE MISHAP ON THE ICE.
_Rover Boys in the Mountains_.] When the first plank was pushed out Tom lost no time in grasping hold of it.

He crawled to a safe place on hands and knees, but was so nearly paralyzed he could not stand up.
"I'll carry him up to the Hall," said Peleg Snuggers, who had chanced upon the scene, and without ceremony he picked Tom up in his strong arms and made off for the school building on a run.
After Tom came Frank Harrington, who caught hold of one end of a rope tossed toward the hole.