“Come along down now.”

“How, Mas’ Don?” said Jem grimly.

“The same way as I did.”

“Oh! All right; but the bush I held on by is gone.”

“Well take hold of another.”

“Just you get from under me, Mas’ Don.”

“Why? What do you mean?”

“I’m too heavy to ketch like a cricket ball. That’s all, my lad.”

“Oh, Jem, don’t say you are in danger.”

“Not I, my lad, if you don’t want me to; but it is awk’ard. Stand clear,” he shouted. “I’m coming down. No, I arn’t,” he said directly after, as he made a tremendous effort to reach a tough stem below, failed, and then dropped and caught it, and swung first by one hand and then by two.