Part 11 (1/2)

”Yes. Now, Ydoll, old chap,” whispered Joe, ”can you do what he says and find foothold?”

There was a peculiar staring look in the boy's eyes, but he began to search about with his toes; and almost at once found a crack that he had pa.s.sed over before, forced in the end of one boot, and, reaching over, he gripped the rope with both hands.

”Get tight hold of my collar,” he whispered rather faintly. ”Can you do it kneeling?”

”No power,” said Joe, huskily, ”I must stand.”

He rose to his feet, gripping the collar as he was told, gazing there into Gwyn's eyes, for he dared not look down beyond him into the dizzy depth.

”Now,” said Gwyn, ”when you're ready, I'll try and raise myself a bit, and you throw yourself back.”

”Wait a moment,” panted Joe. Then he shouted, ”Now I am--all together!”

”Right! Hauley hoi!” came back, and with one effort Gwyn curved his body, forcing his breast clear of the edge, joined his strength to that of his comrade in the effort to rise, and the next moment Joe was on his back with Gwyn being dragged over him.

Then came an interval of inaction, for the three actors in the perilous scene lay p.r.o.ne upon the rough surface of the cliff, Hardock having thrown himself upon his face.

”Oh, Gwyn, old chap!--oh, Gwyn,” groaned Joe.

”Hah! Yes; it was near,” sighed the rescued boy, as he slowly rose to a sitting posture, and began to unfasten the rope. ”I thought I was gone.”

”It was horrid--horrid--horrid!” groaned Joe. ”And I couldn't do anything.”

He rose slowly, wiping his brow, which was dripping with perspiration, and the two boys sat there in the suns.h.i.+ne gazing at one another for a few minutes as if quite unconscious of the presence of Hardock at the end of the rope, where he lay spread-eagled among the heath.

Then Gwyn slowly held out his hand, which was gripped excitedly by Joe, who seized it with a loud sob.

”Thank ye, Jolly-wet,” said Gwyn, quietly. ”I felt so queer seeing you try so hard.”

”You felt--about me? Ah, you don't know what I felt about you. Ugh! I could kick you! Frightening me twice over like that! I don't know which was worst--when you went down or when you came up.”

”Going down was worst,” said Gwyn, quietly. ”But have a kick if you like; I don't feel as if I could hit back.”

”Then I'll wait till you can,” said Joe, with a faint smile. ”Oh, dear, how my heart does keep on beating!”

He turned with hand pressing his side and looked toward Hardock, for the man had moved, and he, too, sat up and began searching in his pockets.

And then, to the great disgust of the two boys, they saw him slowly bring out a short pipe and a bra.s.s tobacco-box, and then deliberately fill the former, take out his matches, strike a light, and begin to smoke.

”Look at that,” cried Joe, viciously.

”Yes; I'm looking,” said Gwyn, slowly, and speaking as if he were utterly exhausted. ”I feel as if I wish I were strong enough to go and knock him over.”

”For laughing at us when we were in such a horrible fix? Yes; so do I.

He's an old beast; and when you feel better we'll go and tell him so.”

”Let's go now,” said Gwyn, rising stiffly. ”I say, I feel wet and cold, and sore all over.”

Joe rose with more alacrity and clenched his fists, his teeth showing a little between his tightened lips.

”Why, Jolly,” said Gwyn, gravely, ”you look as if you'd knocked the skin off your temper.”