“Think he’ll make it?” Bob looked on anxiously, half expecting to see the old man let go and plunge into the seething water below.
Slowly but surely he swung across, holding on with a grip of steel. It seemed remarkable that a person of his age could withstand the arduous tasks connected with exploration. But no doubt he was hardened to an eventful outdoor life of adventure.
“He’s over,” cried Joe happily. “Made it all right. Didn’t even threaten to let go. Now I wonder if we can do as well?”
The youths had yet to see.
Joe was next to swing across. He walked over to the cable and gazed doubtfully first at the boiling stream below, then at Dr. Rander on the opposite cliff.
“Go ahead,” said Bob. “Might as well get it over.”
“Yeah. But I wish it weren’t necessary to do this. I suppose, though, that I can do it if Dr. Rander can.”
Joe sat down on the edge of the cliff, took hold of the heavy wire, and slowly let himself down.
For a brief moment it seemed as if his arms would be torn from their sockets, for, although he was not heavy, the strain was very great.