behind him.

It was a dreadful moment for Eliza. Her room opened by a side door to
the river. 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. With wild cries she leaped to another
and still another--stumbling--leaping--slipping--springing up again!

Her shoes were gone, her stockings cut from her feet by the sharp edges
of the ice. Blood marked every step. But she knew nothing, felt nothing,
till dimly, as in a dream, she saw the Ohio side, and a man helping her
up the bank.

'Yer a brave gal, now, whoever ye are!' said the man.

'Oh, save me--do save me--do hide me,' she cried.