“I say,” whispered Esau, “tell me when they are all safe.”
I did not answer, and he opened his eyes and looked round at me.
“I say—look, look! There are only two there,” he cried excitedly. “Have the others gone in?”
“No, no. They are safe. Look!” For the last two gradually passed on out of our sight, and Gunson drew a long breath full of relief.
“Hah!” he ejaculated. “All right. Well, lads, if those fellows can do it with the loads hanging from them, it ought to be easy for us. Who goes first?”
There was no reply, and Gunson said quickly—
“Now, Quong, on with you.”
“Me go ’long nex? All light.”
He stepped down on the ledge, carefully catching hold of the rock, and edged his way along without a moment’s hesitation.
“There, Gordon,” said Gunson, “that’s the advantage of having a very small brain. On with you next, Dean. I want to see you lads over safe.”