"Do you think you will be able to do it?"
"I don't think! I know!"
"Then I will carry him myself."
"No, sir; I will carry him. You are not able. You are still suffering from the bump you got."
Without further words Jarvis picked up the limp form of his companion. He staggered a little as he swung Steve over his shoulder, the boy's head drooping over on Bob's left breast. Then began a climb that is talked of to this day in the Cousin Jack Mine. Up ladder after ladder staggered Bob Jarvis with the form of his companion over his shoulder. Now and then he would pause on a landing for a breathing spell, where, with heaving chest, he would lean against the rocky wall with eyes closed and everything swimming dizzily about him. Mr. Penton and the searching party followed him up the ladder, but he would let none of them relieve him of his burden.
"Had—hadn't you better telephone for a surgeon to meet us at the pump station?" asked Jarvis.
"Yes, but how will he get down?"
"Let him climb down the ladders. I guess he can climb down if we can go the other way."
"It shall be done at once." Mr. Penton gave the order and the mine captain left them at the next landing to telephone to the company's hospital.