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 . ` Why , what 's the matter ? ' asked the man .
` My XXXXX !
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