Placing one on each side of him, he stood close to the rock and raised himself carefully and slowly with his foot in the first step. The ladies held him against the face of the rock while he aided himself as much as he could by placing his hands in the step above his head. When he reached the second step he could not depend upon anything above to support him. Now taking the knife from between his teeth where he held it open, he reached up and made another small cut, into which he pressed his fingers. He held for a moment to give the ladies an opportunity to rest, for he felt the trembling of their hands against him. In a few more seconds he had the notch deeper, and with his foot in the third hole, he was able to draw himself up to the shelf above, which was large and flat.
"Now, ladies, if your skirts will not permit you to be sure in taking the steps, you had better shorten them. You will not be able to use your hands."
"Miss Gaston, if you will help your friend up one step, I will be able to use this stick. She will let it pass over her shoulders under her arms. By all means keep close to the rock. I have cut a place here to brace my feet."
Very pale, and with set lips and eyes filled with fear, Miss Forest went up as she was directed. She was slight, and Winslow was able almost to lift her up the ascent, her own exertions merely keeping her from being bruised against the rock. She was up in a moment at his side.
"You are without anyone to help you, Miss Gaston, but your strength was necessary to aid your friend.
"Place your foot in the first step and rest your two hands in the second. When I say 'ready,' leap up from the ground as far as you can. Try it a few times easily till you are sure of your footing."
She did so, and after a few trials could rest for a brief space of time on one foot supported by her hands.
"Now, ready!" cried Winslow, and as she rose he let the loop of the stick fall over her shoulders far enough down for it to rest under her arms as her hands slipped off the step. Holding firmly to the stick, and balanced on one foot, she steadied herself for a moment, and lifting the other foot she placed it in the second step. With his assistance she was able to rise to this foot, and with another step upward was drawn to a safe place on the ledge by her hands, which Winslow seized with his own.
He gave them time to let down their skirts, not before his eyes of necessity had sight of shapely ankles and limbs, and suspicion of torn hosiery.