“Here, Bob, mate, come and have another try.”
He paid no heed; but while I was speaking Bigley placed himself close to the great rock, reaching up as high as he could, and holding on by the rope with outstretched arms.
“Now, then, are you ready?” he cried.
The opportunity was too tempting to be resisted, and making a run and a jump, I sprang upon his broad back, climbed up to his shoulders, got hold of the rope, and steadied myself as I drew myself into a standing position, and then reaching up the rope as high as I could, I managed to get my toes on first one projection, then upon another, and in a few seconds was right at the top.
Bigley burst into a hoarse cheer, and began to jump about and wave his cap, with the effect of making Bob stop short and turn, and then come hurrying back more angry than ever.
“There: you are a pair of sneaks,” he cried. “What did you go and do that for?”
“I helped him,” said Bigley. “Hoo—rayah!”
“Yes, and I’ll pay you for it,” he snarled; but Bigley was too much excited to notice what he said; and, taking hold of the rope again, he planted himself against the rock to turn his great body into a ladder.
“Go on up, Bob, and then you two chaps can pull me up to you.”
The temptation was too great for Bob, who began to climb directly, and had nearly reached where I stood, when I bent down and held out my hand.