Lightning Speed—who had to pass The Paddock on his way back to the Palace of the Kings and The Garden—turned like a flash and led the way up the gorge. He was much relieved in his dear horsy mind by this goodly assembly of young rescuers. Much he wished he could speak, but that gift was denied him.
At last, however, panting and puffing, Magsie and the boys reached the cleft in the rocks. Lightning Speed, still wearing his side-saddle, which was pulled a little crooked, bent over the chasm and turned his black eyes to Jasper, as much as to say, 'Now this work is yours. Call out to her; call out to her!'
Lightning Speed whinnied very gently, and then Jasper knelt down and looked into the great hole. The noise of the rushing water made his voice difficult to hear for the girl, who was still clinging to the ledge of rock.
But at last, to his infinite delight, Jasper heard her answer very weakly, 'I 'm here, Jasper; but I 'm nigh to slipping. It's my head, Jasper, and the giddiness that is over me. Good-night, good-night, Jasper dear; you cannot save me!'
'Don't say that,' replied Jasper. 'Keep up your courage for a minute or two longer, Holly, and I'll come to you. Thank goodness I have plenty of rope.'
The Rescue.
Jasper had an earnest and very rapid conversation with John Meiklejohn and Andy Mackenzie and Wallace. Quickly a rope was passed under his arms and round his waist, and before she could believe it possible, Hollyhock, weak, giddy, helpless, was caught in the boy's arms.
He gave the words, 'Right you are; pull away!' and in a trice the three lads and Magsie pulled the girl and the boy up to the summit of the rock.