“How are you going to free the pack from the mule?” asked the Professor.
“Cut it.”
“But we can’t manage both you and the pack at the same time,” protested the boys.
“You don’t have to. Can’t you folks think of two things at the same time?”
“I can when my thinking apparatus is working,” returned Stacy. “The whole plant is idle at the present moment.”
“Listen! Fasten the pack rope to that rock. Do you get that?”
“Yes.”
“First take up all the slack or you may lose the pack after all. We don’t want any great jolt when I cut loose the lashings. Draw it up well. Tighter! There, that’s better. Now, have you got it so that it will hold?”
“It’ll hold as long as the mountain holds together,” answered Ned.
“Then watch your rope. Here goes.”