“And we don’t want to be obliged to fight without we like, Jem.”
“That’s true,” said Jem; and going quickly to the trap, he laid his ear to the crack and listened.
“All right, my lad. Have it out,” he said; and the sacks were cast aside, and the rope withdrawn. “Will it bear us, Jem?”
“I’m going to try first, and if it’ll bear me it’ll bear you.”
“But you can’t get up there.”
“No, but you can, my lad; and when you’re there you can fasten the rope to that cross-bar, and then I can soon be with you. Ready?”
“Wait till I’ve got off my shoes.”
“That’s right; stick ’em in your pockets, my lad. Now then, ready?”
Don signified his readiness. Jem laid him a back up at the end wall. Don mounted, and then jumped down again.
“What’s the matter?”