earth and water were bound in the chains of a very hard frost. Nothing
could more delight the heart of a schoolboy, and those of Ardmuirland
were in their element. There was a small, shallow pond close by the
schoolhouse, and there they were able to slide and sport about to their
hearts' content. But children are changeful. When the frost had
lasted more than two whole weeks, the little pond was not exciting
enough. There was a mountain lake about a mile farther on, a much
larger piece of water. Thither the more adventurous spirits determined
to go one holiday afternoon. Doddy, who was precocious for his years,
made up his mind to go too, proud in being the companion of much bigger
boys. Unluckily, none of the parents of the boys had any idea of the
proposed adventure; had they known, the project would have been sternly
prohibited. It is possible that the young adventurers knew this and
kept the matter quiet.

But Doddy's faithful guardian had watched the boy steal off, to be met
by five or six others, and followed them at a distance. He did not
venture to join the party openly, fearing to be driven off
ignominiously, as he often had been before on other occasions. By the
time he reached them they had been some half-hour at the lake, and had
most of them ventured cautiously to try the bearing power of the ice.
The long frost had made this quite safe in most parts; but, unluckily,
the lads were not aware that there were other portions where rising
springs prevented the water from freezing much, if at all. As long as
they kept near to the place upon which they had first set foot all was
well; but security made them venturesome. They started a game of
shinty, and threw themselves into the sport with fervor.

Bildy, partly hidden behind the bushes which skirted the water, watched
the game with interest, his eyes on his beloved Doddy. Suddenly, while