“Try again!” he shouted. “I’ll let you go but not these women!”
The girls joined in the laughter while he made another ludicrous effort and slipped again.
The two operators left their instruments and peered down the shaft.
“Go back to your places—this is my show!” the Captain called.
The drunken countryman watched them withdraw with wagging head but keen eye. He saw there were only two. He knew his task now.
He made another desperate effort to climb the spiral, turned a complete somersault and came down headforemost.
The Captain slipped to a sitting posture weak with laughter.
“Shay, pardner, help me!” the drunken one pleaded.
“No—this is my show—it’s too good to lose—I’m the audience—help yourself!”
The drunken countryman tried it backward this time, holding first to the rail.