There was a slight rustling sound as Tom obeyed; the line was declared to be quite new, and kept there in store; and at last, amidst the deep breathing of the excited men, Mark prepared to climb out, while his followers in this forlorn hope were eager and waiting for their turn.
The recollection of the last attempt would trouble the lad, try as he would to be calm and firm.
“I can do it in less than a minute,” he said to himself; “but I wish that my heart would not beat quite so hard.”
But it would beat all the same, and at a tremendous rate, as he, in imagination, saw the sentry ready to strike him down.
“Ready, sir?” whispered Tom.
“Yes. Got the line?”
“Right, sir; and we’ll just keep touch of you, and pay it out. Moment you’ve made it fast.”
“If I do,” whispered Mark.
“You will, sir,” said the man, confidently. “Give four jigs, and up we come. Got your dirk?”
“Yes.”