“Bobbie, don’t breathe that way, don’t!” she entreated.
“I can’t help it, honey! my side hurts,” he whispered. “But I’ll go where you take me, Jinnie dear.”
The girl turned him carefully around the sharp ledge corner, and they went on again. Her arms seemed almost paralyzed, but they clung to the child ahead, and the child ahead clung to the little dog, who hung very straight and inert in front of his body.
When they reached the south corner, Jinnie explained their next move to Bobbie in this way:
“Now listen,” she told him. “You get on my back with your legs under my arms, hang to me like dear life, and keep Happy Pete between us. Don’t hurt him if you can help it.”
They were within touch of one of the dangling ropes and far below Jinnie saw the swaying plank to which it was fastened. Once on that board, she could get to the ground.
Then she continued: “Now while I lean over, you get on my back.”
As she guided his slender hands, she felt them cold 326 within her own, but in obedience to her command, Bobbie put his legs about her, one arm around her neck, and with the other held Happy Pete.
“We won’t fall, will we, Jinnie?” quavered the boy.
“No,” said Jinnie, helping to settle him on her back.