They had indeed reached it. But as they looked out on the river, they saw that the ice was breaking up. They knew that it was only a matter of time before the whole thing broke up and melted.
"We need to cross, now!" Peter said.
"Don't beavers make dams?" Lucy asked.
"I'm not that fast, dear," Mr. Beaver replied.
They started to move down to the edge of the river when Susan said, "Wait! Can't we just think about this for a minute?"
"We don't have a minute!" Peter said.
"I was just trying to be realistic," Susan said.
"No, you're trying to be smart, as usual!" was Peter's reply.
Emily rolled her eyes and walked all the way down to the edge. Peter and Lucy were beside her, with Susan and the beavers behind. Peter put his foot out on the ice, and immediately jumped back when it cracked.
"Maye I should go first," Mr. Beaver said.
"Maybe you should," was Peter's answer.
Mr. Beaver mad his way out onto the ice, with the others following him. Emily cringed with every step, expecting the ice to break with every step that she took. She glanced at Susan, who was behind her.
"If Mother knew what we were doing - " Susan began.
"Mum's not here!" Peter said.