Part 19 (2/2)

Margery indulged in a fresh attack of s.h.i.+vering. Hazel gripped her arm, whispering, ”Brace up, dear!”

”Oh, I can--n't,” sobbed Margery. ”My knees won't hold me up.”

”Now, girls,” called Harriet cheerily, ”take hold of the rope, but be gentle about it. Remember, a sharp jolt might be a serious thing for Tommy. It might jerk Miss Elting over, too, so be very careful. Now, Tommy, we are going to pull you up. Don't reach for the rock. It won't help you any to do so. Just hang limp. Try to imagine that you are a bag of meal and we are pulling you up for the m.u.f.fins to-morrow morning.”

”Oh, I can't laugh,” wailed Tommy.

”Then cry, if you wish, but don't make a noise doing it. Shed all the tears you wish to, but let them be silent tears. Now then!”

Harriet stepped back, taking firm hold of the rope. She was near the edge of the shelf, Hazel directly behind her, with Margery still farther back.

”When you are ready, Miss Elting! Let us know when you wish a fresh hold.” Harriet was perfectly calm outwardly.

”Ready!”

”All together! One, two, three--pull! Steady; not so violently. This is a small rope, and----”

”Whoa!” interjected the guardian sharply.

”We are taking up the slack back here. Good work for you girls,”

encouraged the guide.

”What is it? Oh, what is it?” screamed Tommy.

”Stop that noise!” commanded Harriet. ”Everything is all right!”

”Ready again,” commanded Miss Elting. ”One, two, three--pull!”

Tommy came up about a foot this time. Her progress was slow, but it was, at least, sure.

Jane and the guide were acting as anchors, at the same time a.s.sisting in pulling on the line, holding down when the pauses came.

After every pull Miss Elting would call a halt while she worked the round stick down over the edge of the rock to keep the rope from being unduly worn. In this way Tommy came up little by little, now and then uttering a sharp scream at some unexpected jolt. Once, when the rope slipped from the round stick, Tommy felt herself slipping into unconsciousness, but pluckily recovered herself. She clenched her fists until the nails almost cut into the flesh of her hands, and all the time she was wondering if the belt that seemed to be cutting her in two would hold or break. Those on the ledge above were wondering much the same thing. They were operating with extreme caution for that very reason.

”You are almost up to us, Tommy,” encouraged the guardian. ”Be very careful. Make no sudden moves. Don't try to take hold of the edge when we get you level with it. We shall have to pull you over the last two or three feet by taking hold of you. Then we will have something to be thankful for, won't we?”

”Yeth,” wailed a weak voice from over the side.

”Ready!”

This time Tommy came up so close that the guardian was able to touch her. Miss Elting leaned over and patted Tommy on the shoulder rea.s.suringly.

”One more long, strong pull and we shall have you within a little way of safety. Girls, are you ready for the last pull?”

Margery was breathing heavily, Hazel, too, was taking short, excited breaths.

”Yes, when you are ready,” answered Hazel. ”Get ready back there, ready to hold fast after the last pull. Don't give way the fraction of an inch,” called Harriet. ”This is like things I have read about Alpine climbing, except that I guess they don't pull them up dangling in this fas.h.i.+on.”

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