In any case, Biff Brewster would be the first to slide out over that fatal curve and plunge the half mile to the glacier below!
XIX
The Lost City
From his hopeless perch, Biff heard Kamuka and Chuba shouting up above. "Come on, you fellows!" they yelled. "Lend a hand!" They were calling to Li and Chandra, who were still coming up the granite steps, but it was useless. Biff and Mike represented too much dead weight, even for all four.
Mike had Biff's wrist in a powerful grip. They were face to face as Biff looked up and said, "You'll have to let go, Mike. They may be able to haul you back, but not both of us."
"It's both," gritted Mike, "or neither!"
"But you'll only be dragging the others along, too. Can't you understand?"
"No." Mike grinned grimly as he was jolted upward. Then, as he slipped back downward, he added, "Yes."
Mike realized that Li had joined Chuba and Kamuka; that with Li's helping hand, they had managed a temporary lift, only to lose what little they had gained. But Mike still gripped Biff.
"Chandra will be helping them next," Mike said reassuringly. "With four pulling, it will make a difference."
"Yes, they'll manage to hold on a little longer," groaned Biff, "but it can't change things, Mike. They still can haul you up, if you'll only let go."