“The ice is getting pretty rotten,” said Jack, as his skate cut in so deeply that he would have fallen had not his chums supported him.

“Yes, a day or two more and skating will be at an end,” answered Andy.

“Jack, are you going in for baseball this spring?” questioned Pepper.

“No, I am going in for nothing but study towards the end of the term.”

“Well, I guess I’ll have to do the same—­if I want to graduate,” answered Pepper, and he heaved a deep sigh as he thought of all the fun he would have to miss.

The three cadets skated on until they came to a spot where the shore made a sharp turn.  On the point of land were a number of trees and bushes, so they could not see what was beyond.

“Listen!” cried Andy.  “Somebody is calling!”

“Help! help!” came the cry.  “Help!”

“Somebody must have broken in!” exclaimed Jack.  “Come on, maybe we can save him!”

He broke away and led around the point of land.  Beyond were some rocks and a sort of cove, where the ice was extra soft.

“There is an iceboat!” exclaimed Andy.  “It’s the Rosebud!”

“It’s in the water!” ejaculated Pepper.  “And see, Gus Coulter is clinging to it.”

“Where is Ritter?”

“I don’t know.”

“I see Ritter!” burst out Jack.  “He is clinging to the ice yonder, trying to crawl out!  Come on, fellows, we’ve got to help them both.”

“Help! help!” screamed Gus Coulter, and his voice showed that he was almost scared to death.  Ritter did not call, but was making frantic efforts to get on top of the ice, which seemed to break away as he placed his weight on it.

It took Jack, Pepper and Andy but a minute to get to the vicinity of the mishap.  As he skated forward, the former major of the school battalion stripped off the sweater he was wearing.

“Join hands with me,” he called to his chums.  “Now be careful; not too near the hole, remember.  I’ll throw Ritter the end of the sweater.”

His chums understood, and while they held hands, Jack advanced cautiously.  The ice cracked ominously, but step by step he drew closer to where Ritter was clinging.

“Catch hold!” he cried, as he swung one end of the sweater toward the unfortunate youth.

“You—­you won’t let go?” questioned the bully, suspiciously.

“Of course not!” retorted Jack.  “Hold tight now, and we’ll haul you up.”

He gave the signal, and Andy and Pepper pulled back with all their might, and Jack did the same.  Slowly but surely Reff Ritter came up out of the icy water, his teeth chattering loudly.  Soon he was out of danger.

“Run for the nearest farmhouse!” cried Jack.  “Put the sweater on if you want to,” and he tossed the garment over.

“It was Coulter’s fault,” growled Reff Ritter.  “He swung the sail the wrong way.”  And then he ran off as advised.

“Such meanness!” snorted Pepper.  “And Coulter may be drowned!”