“Wait a while and you’ll see. I’ll be back in a minute.”
Ned ran back and disengaged the rope from Blue Lightning’s neck. He raced for the cliff edge again, and having made a loop in the lower end of the rope, lowered it to Herc. He wished it had been thicker, but it appeared to be made of good, close-woven manila and Ned prayed that it would stand the strain.
“Place the loop under your arms,” called Ned.
“All right. I see I’m to be a sort of human elevator.”
“That’s it. Come on, Mr. Guide; lay hold here.”
Ned and the Hawaiian laid hold of the rope and began to haul with all their might. Herc helped them by digging his toes into the rocks and climbing upward, his weight supported by the rope.
“Hurray! We’ll get you up now all right, my hearty!” cried Ned.
But his jubilation was premature. The Hawaiian, a short, slim fellow without much muscle or weight, gave a sudden yell.
“No can hold no more.”
He dropped the rope at the same instant, and Ned felt his feet fly from under him as the weight of Herc came suddenly on his arms alone.