The frightened youth did as requested, and slowly but surely Jerry dragged him up to a safe spot.
“Good for you, Jerry!” shouted Harry.
“By golly! but dat was a close call!” shuddered the homeless youth.
Then, with tears in his big, honest eyes, he wrung our hero’s hand.
“You dun sabed my life, Jerry!” he declared solemnly. “I won’t forgit dat, neber!”
The nervous boy was averse to attempting a second jump, and so the party walked along the opening until a much narrower spot was reached.
Once over, the upward climb was again begun. By noon they reckoned that they were within half a mile of the top. But all were exhausted, and glad enough to rest and take a bite to eat.
A fine spring was found, and here they washed up and quenched their thirst before resuming the journey.
They found a large quantity of huckleberries growing on the hillside, and these made very acceptable eating.
“A fellow could put in a month here,” remarked Jerry. “But, heigho! the vacation will soon be ended, and then for school again.”