"Turn this way!" he shouted, jumping over the ice which creaked under him; "turn this way!" he shouted to those with the gun.

" It bears!..." The ice bore him but it swayed and creaked, and it was plain that it would give way not only under a cannon or a crowd, but very soon even under his weight alone.

The men looked at him and pressed to the bank, hesitating to step onto the ice.