“Yes,” agreed the tall lad. “He was probably chasing after some bug, or butterfly, and came to the edge of the cliff before he realized it. I wonder what his chances are?”
It seemed many hours to Ned and Jerry, down there with the unconscious form of the professor, waiting for the return of Bob and Andy. Yet it really was not long, for the two boys made fast time. Meanwhile the professor had been made as comfortable as possible. His specimen boxes were beside him.
“There they are!” cried Ned, looking up to the top of the cliff. Bob and Andy were there.
“Lower the cot,” Jerry directed them, and when it came on the end of a long rope, the legs were left folded under it, and the professor was placed on it, as on a stretcher, being covered with blankets the boys had brought from the cabin.
“Now to see if we can haul him up,” suggested Jerry, as he attached short ropes, for slings, at either end of the improvised stretcher.
“They can’t do it alone,” said Ned, motioning to Bob and Andy.
“No, we’ll have to go up and help them pull,” agreed Jerry. It was hard work—harder than the boys had ever before attempted—or so they thought, at least.
It was finally done, however, and there he lay, stretched out on the cot.
“And now for camp!” cried Jerry. “Carry him as gently as possible.”
It was no easy matter to force their way along the trail, carrying the form of the scientist, but the boys managed it. It seemed as though their arms would be pulled out before they got to the cabin, but they did not give up, and finally they reached the lonely camp.