“Ay, ay, sir.”
“Will it bear me?”
“Half a dozen o’ your sort, sir. It’s quite noo.”
“Good,” said Oliver, securing the end tightly about his chest.
“Then you’re going to venture?” said Panton.
“Of course, and you’re all coming, too. But you’ll hold the line and if the ladder breaks or I slip off, you’ll hang on and drag me out?”
“Of course. But—”
“Never mind the buts,” said Oliver, smiling, and just then, piqued by his companion’s banter, he would have crossed had the danger been far greater.
“I say,” cried Drew, “won’t the sides crumble in from under the ladder?”
“Not likely,” said Oliver, coolly; “there’s a little ash at the edges, but just below it is solid lava rock.”