“What do you mean?” came from Jerry.
“I mean it can pull the men up over the cliff!”
“Hurrah! So it can!” exclaimed Jerry. “I see your plan.”
The car was turned around so the rear of it was close to the edge of the precipice. Then the rope was fastened to the axle.
“Get ready, down below!” called Jerry.
“We’re ready!” came back the answer.
Jerry and Bob stretched out on the ground, each one holding an end of the improvised roller. Ned started the auto slowly. The rope strained and tightened. Then, as the car gathered speed, the cable was pulled up, and Professor Snodgrass, tied to the other end, was hauled from his perilous position.
As his head came into view over the edge of the precipice, Jerry shouted to Ned to stop the car. The next instant the naturalist was helped to solid ground by the two boys. The plan had worked.
In quick succession Nestor and the hunter were pulled up in the same fashion.
“Well, I must say you boys are smart chaps,” spoke the miner. “Automobiles are useful critters in more ways than to ride in.”