“Don’t be afraid.”
With which the man drew back and disappeared. He was not gone long when he reappeared with a long, slim sapling, which he had trimmed of its nubs and excrescences except at the top. Bracing himself firmly on another part of the edge of the gorge, which was the lowest and gave firm footing, he grasped the larger end of the pole and carefully thrust the smaller part down into the opening.
“Can you make it?” he called, peering over.
By standing on tiptoe Dick could grasp the bushy end. He suggested that Harvey should go first, but there was really no choice, and the younger replied by telling his brother not to wait.
“Are you ready?” asked the man above.
“Hold fast and I’ll climb up. You needn’t lift me.”
It was easy for the elder, even with his rifle in one hand, to ascend the pole monkey fashion, and a minute later he stood on the upper ground beside his friend. Then he helped to hold the larger end and Harvey climbed up with the same facility. The rescue was effected so readily that it was almost ridiculous. The two warmly thanked the stranger. Harvey offered a money reward, but the man shook his head.
“I’m Jim Haley, one of the game protectors for this part of the country. I heard your gun and wondered what it meant. We have to keep sharp watch of them as are inclined to forget this is the close season. Why have you brought your Winchester with you?” asked the official, with a suspicious look at Dick.
“I generally carry it in the woods so as to be ready for danger. I met a big buck yesterday; fact is, I’ve seen him several times and he was mighty tempting, but I haven’t any wish to get into trouble with the courts.”
“Don’t forget that, young man, for if you do it’ll go hard with you.”