This would not have been so serious if the ice had not given way.

Then, into the water, with many strange, guttural cries, slipped the deaf and dumb man.

Grace herself was wet through by the rush of water over the ice, and just saved herself by slipping backward.
There was still a small portion of the plank left, and, with Julia Crosby's help, Grace thought they might manage to pull the two men out.
But Julia looked hardly able to help herself.

She sat shivering on the bank trying to remove her skates.
"Julia," called Grace desperately.

"You must help me now or these two men will drown.