Of course we tried to haul the scantling back, but they held on to it. In spite of all our wrenching and jerking and waggling they kept their end and climbed right on slow and sure.
“We’re done,” says I to Mark.
“Not yet,” says he. “Motu, you keep behind.”
“No,” says Motu. “I will fight side by side with you.”
Then Mark spoke short and sharp. “You’ll obey orders,” says he. “If you’re plannin’ on b-bein’ a warrior you know what orders are. Keep behind.”
Motu looked a bit ashamed and awful disappointed, but he did what Mark told him. It must have been hard for him just then, but it was the best plan.
“You’ll get all the f-f-fightin’ you need pretty quick,” says Mark; and Motu smiled back at him.
“When we can’t h-hold ’em back any longer,” says Mark, “jump through this door and slam it shut. It’ll gain a l-little time.”
“What’s the use gainin’ time?” says Binney. “It won’t make much difference if we’re beat now or in half an hour.”
“A heap of t-t-things can happen in half an hour,” says Mark. “We don’t give up till we can’t hang on one more second.”