Part 29 (1/2)

Gwyn uttered an inarticulate sound, but only wedged his arms out more firmly.

”Ready?” came from above in the Colonel's voice.

”No, nothing like,” roared Hardock. ”Hold hard. Now, my lad, look alive. Don't think about it, but get hold of the rope, and draw it round his chest. Mind and not tie him to the ladder. Steady, for it's all of a quiver now.”

Still Gwyn made no sign.

”Hi! What's come to you?” growled Hardock.

”Are you asleep, below there?” shouted the Colonel. ”Hold fast, and I'll send someone down.”

”Nay, nay!” yelled Hardock, ”the ladder won't bear another. I'll get it done directly. Now, Master Gwyn, pull yourself together, and make this rope fast. D'yer hear?”

”Yes,” gasped the boy at last. ”Wait a minute and I'll try.”

”Wait a minute and you'll try,” growled the man. ”We shall all be down directly. My word! What is the use o' boys. Hi! hold fast and I'll try and get up above you and tie the rope myself.”

”No, no!” cried Gwyn, frantically. ”You can't climb over us.”

”But I must, lad, I aren't going to get round inside and try it that way. I aren't a boy now.”

”No, don't try that,” panted Gwyn, breathlessly. ”You'd pull us off.

I'm coming round again. I'll try soon, but I don't seem to have any breath.”

”Hi! below there! what are you about?” shouted the Colonel. ”Make that rope fast.”

”Yes, sir; yes, sir; directly,” yelled Hardock. ”You, must wait.”

”Make it fast round Jollivet,” shouted the Colonel.

”All right, sir. Now, Master Gwyn, you hear what your guv'nor says?”

”Yes, I hear, Sam,” panted the lad; ”and I'm trying to do it. I'll begin as soon as ever I can, but I feel that if I let go, Joe would come down on you. He has no strength left in him, and--and I'm not much better.”

”And you'll let go, too,” growled the man to himself, ”and if you do, it's all over with me.” Then aloud: ”Hold tight, my lad; I'm coming up.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

AN IGNOMINIOUS ASCENT.

”Am I to send someone down?” cried the Colonel, angrily.

”No, father,” shouted Gwyn, his father's voice seeming to give him new force. ”The ladder won't bear four.”

”Then make fast that knot, sir. Quick, at once!”

”Yes, father,” said the boy, as a thrill of energy ran through him, and he felt as if he could once more do something toward relieving himself from the strange feeling of inertia which had fettered every sense.

”You get up higher,” growled Hardock, ”and hold on, my lad.”