A careful bit of scout-work on the part of Bill, a cautious approach and soon the plotters were beside the meteor ready to fasten the chains around it, lift the heavy weight by the enormous leverage of the long handle, and wheel it to the main school steps.
Cap and Bill adjusted the chains, handling them with care, so that they would not rattle. The links were soon fastened about the stone.
“All ready now?” asked Cap in a whisper, as he took his place at the lever.
“Let her go,” answered Pete.
Cap and his two brothers bore down on the handle. Something began to give. Suddenly there was a hoarsely whispered appeal.
“Oh! For cats’ sake! You’ve got my foot caught in the chains! You’re lifting me with the rock!”
It was the unfortunate Whistle-Breeches who had been stationed near the meteor to steady it when it was raised from its ancient bed.
“Hurry up, get loose!” commanded Cap, and he and the others raised the pole until the chains were slackened sufficiently for Donald to get his foot out.
“All right, go ahead!” he called.
There was a creaking of wood and metal. The big lever came slowly down. More slowly Whistle-Breeches saw the meteor being raised. At last it was free from the ground, and was slung, in the chains, between the two big wheels.