“Ay?—to what?” said Dale to himself. Then aloud: “You haven’t a very good hold there, have you?”
“No—dreadful,” came faintly.
“I say, boy; don’t take that tone. Mountaineers are people full of resources. You say you have an opening behind you?”
“Yes.”
“Then can you hold on with one hand?”
“I—I think so.”
“Think! Say yes!” shouted Dale angrily. “Now, hold on with one hand.”
“Yes.”
“Where’s your ice-axe?”
“I—I had forgotten that.”