“But did you climb up and get a rope, and come down again and haul me on here?”
“Yes,” said the midshipman.
Ram stared at him, holding his hand to the back of his head the while, and a couple of minutes must have elapsed before he said,—
“Well, you are a rum chap!”
Archy grew red. Curious gratitude this seemed for saving the lad’s life.
“Didn’t you know the door was open?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t yer run away?”
“How could I, and leave you to fall off that place?”
“Dunno. Wouldn’t ha’ been nice. Where did you get the rope?”