“I? Help you?”
“Yes; it’s your duty. You’ve no right to lie like that, giving up everything.”
“I’m so weak and sleepy,” protested the man.
“So was I, but I fought it all down. Now then, climb up to where he is.”
“I—I can’t, Mr Gwyn; and, besides, it’s too narrow for me.”
“How do you know till you try? Come: up with you at once.”
“Must I, Mr Gwyn, sir?”
“Yes, of course; so get up and try.”
Sam Hardock groaned, and began to creep slowly up the steep slope, Gwyn leading the way; but at the end of a minute the man subsided.
“It’s of no use, sir; I can’t do it. I haven’t the strength of a rat.”