Part 50 (1/2)
Reaching his shoulders, Lisle stood on them while Nasmyth and Crestwick on the pinnacle beneath looked up at a somewhat impressive spectacle.
Lisle's head and shoulders were now above the edge, but he was forced to bend backward and outward by the projecting bulge which pressed against his breast, and his cautious movements suggested that he could find no hold. It appeared impossible for him to descend, unless he did so accidentally, and in that event nothing could save him from a fall to the bottom of the ravine. For a while, they watched his tense figure moving futilely; and then Batley, standing most precariously poised, bent his arm and seized one of Lisle's feet. He spoke in a breathless gasp as he thrust it upward; Lisle's legs swung free and he disappeared beyond the edge. The two below were conscious of a vast relief. It was tempered, however, by the knowledge that they must shortly emulate their companion's exploit.
”Take off your pack!” Batley called to Lisle. ”Split the bag, if it's necessary, and lower the end! But be quick! This isn't a comfortable position.”
The pack in which the small bush rancher conveys his provisions from the nearest store as a rule consists of a cotton flour bag with a pair of suspenders fastened to its corners, and Nasmyth had provided the party with a few receptacles of similar pattern but more strongly made before entering the wilds. The straps, when Lisle let them down, reached several feet from the top, and Batley bade Nasmyth and Crestwick ascend. They managed it with a.s.sistance from Lisle, who seized them from above. Then Batley called up to them.
”I'm going to test the tackle. Give me a hand up as soon as I'm over the bulge!”
It was difficult to hear him, as he was still beneath the projecting edge, and they watched the straining straps with keen anxiety until a hand that felt for a hold upon the rock appeared. Lisle seized it, with Nasmyth ready to a.s.sist, and Batley came up, gasping, with the perspiration streaming from his face.
”I'd have managed it easily at one time,” he said. ”This is what comes of civilization and soft living.”
”You brought us across; we owe you a good deal for it,” declared Lisle.
Batley smiled at him as they set off again.
”In this case, I won't be an exacting creditor. In fact, it's rather curious how we've hit it off, considering that you wouldn't hear of a compromise and our interests are opposed.”
”I don't know what your interests are,” Lisle returned dryly.
”Then, in one way, I'm ahead of you. I know your wishes, and Nasmyth's--you don't want Clarence to marry Miss Gladwyne. It's your motive I'm not sure about. Do you want the girl yourself?”
They were some distance in front of the others, who were too far behind to hear them. Lisle looked at his companion steadily. The man was engaged in a business that was regarded with general disfavor, but there was something he liked about him and he did not resent his bluntness.
”Well,” he answered, ”it isn't for the reason you've given that I mean to stop the match.”
”Can you do so?”
”I'm going to try.”
Batley smiled reflectively.
”And the present journey is somehow connected with the attempt? Now I believe I might have left you held up on the wrong side of the canon; the idea was in my mind and you can give me credit for not yielding to it. I suppose there would be no use in my asking you for a hint as to the relation between my rather tricky companion's expedition and his cousin's death?”
”None in the least,” said Lisle decidedly.
Batley made a gesture of acquiescence.
”Oh, well! We must try to be friends as long as possible.”
Nothing more was said about the matter, and they spent the day forcing a pa.s.sage through scrub timber, up precipitous hillsides, and across long stony ridges.
There was no sign of Gladwyne's trail, but that did not trouble Lisle, for he knew where the man was heading for. On the second day Batley showed signs of distress, and Nasmyth and Crestwick were walking very wearily, but Lisle held on at a merciless pace. It was essential that he should reach the cache before Gladwyne could interfere with it. Toward evening, Nasmyth made an effort and caught up with Lisle.
”How would Clarence get across to the second cache on the other side of the water?” he asked. ”It's a point I've been considering; I suppose it's occurred to you.”
”I don't know,” Lisle confessed. ”The Indians near the divide said there was another party with canoes somewhere lower down; but, as the packer who was with me didn't talk to them, so far as I noticed, I don't see how Gladwyne could have heard of it; but that's as far as I can go. If he destroyed the first cache, it would help to clear him, unless you can vouch for the correctness of the list I made; but he may have some further plan in his mind.” He paused and raised his hand. ”Listen! Isn't that the river? We can't be far from the cache.”
The day, like the two or three preceding it, had been hot and bright, and now that evening was drawing on, the still air was heavy with the smell of the cedars in a neighboring hollow. A high ridge stood out black against a vivid green glow, and from beyond it there rose a faint, hoa.r.s.e murmur. Nasmyth welcomed it gladly as announcing the end of the march.
”The rest of the party can hardly be down until to-morrow; there's a couple of portages,” he said. ”It looks as if we'll have to go without our supper.”