Hot, weary, and despairing, he was resting for a moment when he heard a low hail from above. He looked up; at one side of the hole he saw a dark face peering down. He could not distinguish the features.
Without stopping to consider whether the man were an enemy or a friend, he called to him, and he trembled with joy when he heard, in startled tones, the words:
"Massa Chally!"
"John!" he cried. "I can't get out, John."
He laughed afterwards when he remembered this very obvious statement.
"Take care," he added. "We shall both be lost if you fall in, too."
"Oh my lawks!" John ejaculated. "What for you go tumble in dat way, sah? Berry funny all same."
"Not so funny as you think," said Challis. "You must get me out. I've had enough of it."
"Oh yes, sah, me savvy. Half mo, sah."
His broad face disappeared. After some minutes he returned with an armful of creepers, which he stripped of their leaves and deftly wound into a rope. This he let down into the pit. Challis tied it under his arms, and called to John to pull. But John, strong as he was, could not haul up a man of Challis's weight without leverage, as he found in a very few moments. There was no convenient tree within easy reach. What was to be done?