Hauling the pack up was a slow and tedious process, for it was continually catching on points of rock and threatening to drop into the depths. Great patience was required to land 81it safely on the trail, but land it they did after working and perspiring over it for nearly half an hour. The Professor proposed that they move on at once, after having divided the pack. Tad shook his head.
“Not yet,” he said. “I’ve something else to do first.”
82CHAPTER VII
GOING TO BED BY DAYLIGHT
“Something else to do?” repeated the Professor. “I know of nothing more to be done except to get under way and try to find a safe portage.”
“I’ve got to bury the mule, sir.”
“Oh! Where?”
“I’ll show you. Stand clear of the rope, fellows,” ordered Butler.
Stepping to the edge of the trail he glanced down at the body of the mule, swaying with a scarcely perceptible movement. Looking back to see that the rope was clear, Tad drew his hunting knife and stooped over, his companions drawing as near to the edge as they dared.
Butler cut the rope that held the dead mule. The rope suddenly sprang back as the unfortunate pack mule’s body shot down into the shadowy pass. The other boys instinctively drew back. Their nerve was not quite equal to standing on the brink to watch the sight. With Tad it was different. He seemed not to be at all affected by great heights or great 83depths. He stood with the toes of his boots over the edge, gazing down until a faint sound from far below told him that the body had struck.