His confidence in Grace had not been misplaced.

He felt that they would soon be released from their perilous predicament.
[Illustration: Grace and the Strange Man Quickly Approached.] "All right," called Grace cheerfully as she approached.

"Keep up a little while longer.

We'll have you both out in a jiffy." Both rescuers slid the plank on the ice until one end projected over the hole.
Then the man and Grace both lay flat down on the other end and Grace called "ready." Julia Crosby seized the board and pulled herself out of the water, safe, now, from the breaking of thin ice at the edge.
"Now, Tom," cried Grace.
But Julia's considerable weight had already weakened the wood.

When Tom attempted to draw himself up, crack! went the board, and a jagged piece broke off.