Part 48 (1/2)
”I'll fix it so you can. I'll tie some knots in it, then climbing will be easy.”
With that Tad once more swung clear of the floor and went up hand over hand with amazing rapidity. By the light of their matches they saw him disappear through the hole in the roof of the chamber.
”It's all right, fellows,” he called down to the others. ”I'll just haul up the rope and fix it for you.”
This he did, letting the rope down to them a few moments later.
Walter was the first to try the climb.
”I can't do it, Tad. I just can't,” he cried, slipping back to the floor where he landed in a heap.
”Hold the rope down for him, then he ought to be able to make it,”
directed Tad.
Walter, however, had apparently lost his courage and declared that he could not do it.
”Take a hitch under his arms, good and strong. I'll pull him up,” he commanded. They did as the boy above directed, then Tad began his pull. It was a fearful task.
”Grab hold of me, put your arms around my waist and brace yourself,”
he commanded, and the girl with quick wit comprehended what he wished her to do. Slowly, foot by foot Tad hauled the dead weight up. The last few feet of the rope seemed a mile to him.
With a final desperate effort, just as his muscles seemed to be at the breaking point, Tad, hauled his companion safely to the flat rock beside him, then fell on the floor of the cave, gasping for breath.
”Le--let the r-rope down,” he said faintly.
The girl obeyed.
Ned s.h.i.+nned it with little difficulty, Tom Phipps insisting that the lad should precede him, though Ned wanted him to go first.
Tad was on his feet again.
”Can you make it?” he called down.
”I don't know. I'm going to make a big attempt at it,” answered the miner. They heard the rope creak and knew that he had thrown his weight upon it.
”I'm afraid I can't get all the way up. My arms are giving out,” they heard him gasp.
”Don't let go! Don't let go!”
”I'm afraid I can't help it, my muscles won't stand the strain.”
”Twist the rope about one leg and rest. You can hang there all day if you'll do that,” snapped Tad. ”How is it!”
”Yes, that works fine. My arms are all a-tremble. I didn't suppose I was so weak?”
”You are not used to it, that's all. That's right; come along. I'll strike a match to light the way.”