“I reckon you’re right,” Jerry agreed.
Dick was regarding the gap speculatively. “If a fellow could throw a rope from the top of this leaning rock over to the house and make it secure somehow—”
Dora teasingly interrupted, “I didn’t know, Doctor Dick, that you could walk a tight rope.”
“Oh sure, I can do anything I set out to!” was the joking reply. “However, I meant to walk across it with my hands.”
“It can’t be done.” The cowboy shook his head.
“Anyhow,” Dick declared, “you all wait here while I see how far up these old stairs I can climb. From the top I can better estimate how big a goat will be required to carry me over.”
“Dick,” Mary laughed, “I never knew you to be so nonsensical.”
Dora tried to detain him, saying, “If you succeed in climbing up to the top of this leaning rock, you might be directly opposite the open door of the rock house.”
“Well, what of it!” Dick was puzzled, for Dora’s expression was serious and almost fearful.
“That Evil Eye Turquoise might look right out at you!”