Part 8 (2/2)

”Steady, now, Claude, it's almost gone. When you feel it give way, try and make use of your right hand to find some other rocky point where you can hold on. I think there's one such on the other side of you. Above all, don't struggle, or you may throw me off my balance, and then it's good-bye to both of us. Now, be ready!”

Hugh's calculations proved to be correct, for the bush gave way, and fell with a clatter of small stones and loosened earth, down toward the bottom of the steep declivity. Claude uttered a cry of dismay when he felt his support gone; but quickly he gripped the rocky k.n.o.b with his left and more convulsively than ever, while Hugh sustained him to the best of his ability.

”That was well done, Claude,” Hugh now told him, his main object being to put a little more confidence in the other boy, and thus lighten his own load. ”We'll manage to cling here for a bit longer. When I think 'Just' Smith is getting near by I'll let out a whoop that is bound to fetch him to our a.s.sistance.”

One, two, three minutes pa.s.sed. It was very trying to Hugh, and already his muscles began to feel the undue strain keenly. But he gritted his teeth, and waited, as it would be only a waste of breath and energy to shout before the next runner was close enough up to locate the sound.

Claude was s.h.i.+vering as though he would shake to pieces. He had received a dreadful fright, for a fact, and it was having its due effect upon his never strong frame. What would his doting mamma think, and say, Hugh told himself, almost with a chuckle of amus.e.m.e.nt, could she see her darling then and there, and realize how his very life depended upon the strong muscles and will to do things that Hugh Morgan had developed in himself?

How slowly the seconds pa.s.sed! Hugh was trying to count, so as to judge when the Marathon runner would be likely to have covered that half-mile, and be at the spot where he, Hugh, had left the road.

When, finally, the time had expired he again spoke to Claude.

”Don't be startled, Claude, because I'm going to shout out. Hang tight, now!”

With that he sent out a whoop, and coupled it with the name of ”Just”

Smith. There was no immediate response, but then Hugh had already discounted this in his mind, remembering how he also had come to a sudden stop, and listened as though unable to believe his ears.

Again he shouted, and once more uttered the name of the other boy.

This time there came a speedy reply.

”h.e.l.lo! that you, Hugh?”

”Yes, and I want help right away!” answered the boy who clung there with a burden on his hands. ”Turn out of the road to the left, and hurry here. I'm down a precipice, Just. Keep coming, and I'll guide you all right.”

So Hugh continued to utter loud shouts every ten seconds or so. He could catch the calls of the advancing runner, and knew from their increasing loudness that he was gradually getting closer.

Then, looking up, he saw a head projected over the brink above. He could easily understand how ”Just” Smith's eyes must have almost started from their sockets when discovering the dreadful position of the pair below; and especially after he recognized Claude Jardin the last fellow in the wide world whom he would have expected to see in such a fix.

”H-h-how in the wide world did you get down there, Hugh?” gasped the boy who leaned over the brink.

”I came down after Claude here, who'd fallen over, and was hanging to a bush that was giving way,” explained Hugh. ”And now it's up to you to get us both out of this sc.r.a.pe, Just.”

”Oh, if only I had a rope!” cried the other, apparently nonplussed.

”Well, wishes won't make one,” said the practical Hugh; ”and so we'll have to do without. But if you look around sharply I think you'll find a long pole there, for I remember noticing something of the kind.”

The boy above vanished for a brief period, which seemed ages to the anxious Claude; and even Hugh counted the seconds, for the strain was something serious. Then again that friendly head appeared in view.

”You were right, Hugh!” called the Smith boy; ”there was such a pole handy, and I've got the same right here now. It's plenty long enough to reach down to you; but I'm wondering however I'll be able to draw two of you up.”

”I don't expect you to, all by yourself, Just,” Huge told him. ”Poke the end of it down here, and keep a good stiff grip on the b.u.t.t.

Then we'll hold on, and find places to set our feet. Inch by inch, and foot by foot, we'll manage to climb up. You can help a little by keeping the stick coming, you know.”

”I get you, Hugh!” snapped the other eagerly; ”and it's sure a right good scheme. But be mighty careful you don't slip, either of you.

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