“But, uncle, I may come to you, may I not?” I cried, trembling with the dread of what had happened, for in spite of my confused state I realised now that Uncle Dick must have fallen.
“My boy,” he shouted back, “I daren’t say yes. The place ends here in a terrible way. We two nearly went over, and I dare not stir, for I cannot see a yard from my feet. I am on a very steep slope too.”
“But where has Uncle Jack gone then?”
“Ahoy!” came from somewhere behind me, and apparently below.
“Ahoy! Uncle Jack,” I yelled.
“Ahoy, boy! I want to come to you. Keep shouting here—here—here.”
I did as he bade me, and he kept answering me, and for a minute or two he seemed to be coming nearer. Then his voice sounded more distant, and more distant still; then ceased.
“Cob, I can’t hear him,” came from near me out of the dense gloom. “Can you?”
“No!” I said with a shiver.
“Ahoy, Jack!” roared Uncle Bob.