"I don't believe I am, sir."
"Then don't try it. Go up and send down two or three men who feel sure they can do it. But urge every man against taking the risk foolishly. For a man who can't handle himself on a knotted rope it's a fine and easy way to break his neck."
"Are you going down now, sir?"
"At once."
"Then I'll stay here and hold a lantern for you," replied Hunter, doggedly. "I won't stir until I know you're safe at the bottom of the shaft."
"Go ahead up," ordered Tom. "I'm tying a lantern to my coat."
This he was even then doing, in fact, making the knot with a handkerchief passed through one of the button-holes of the garment.
"Why don't you go up, with my message, Hunter?" Tom demanded.
"I'm afraid I can't stir, sir, until I know that you're safe at the bottom."
"Nonsense! What could you do to save me if I lost my hold and fell?"
Tom questioned.