It was a happy, triumphant moment, that in which she looked down on the anxious faces far below, and told the imprisoned party of her success. Then she undid the coiled lassos, and knotting them firmly together, made them fast to the stems of two giant trees, and let the other ends down to her friends.
Meanwhile Sir Francis, and Piñone, and Aniwee had been marshalling the Indians into order, and strict instructions were issued that they were not to attempt to avail themselves of the lassos, until called upon to take their turn. The first sent forward were Lady Vane and Mary, and as both were active and athletic, and neither were novices in the climbing art, the ascent was accomplished happily and safely. Then the baby Cacique, amidst loud protestations on its part, was tied up securely in a poncho, to which the end of the lasso was affixed, and this precious burden was drawn up by those above, guided and guarded from sharp points and jagged rocks by Graviel, who ascended by means of the other lasso. After this, four of the strongest Indians were sent up in succession, and then Willie and Freddy.
Thus those on the top were able to help their friends below, by drawing them up the difficult and most precipitous places, and in less than an hour all were safely hauled up, except Piñone, Aniwee, Sir Francis, Harry, and Shag.
“Now, my boy, we must send poor Shag aloft,” exclaimed the baronet, as the lassos came tumbling down the sides of the precipice once more. “Look here, Harry, you must go with him, and do your best to keep him off the sharp rocks, in the same way as Graviel did by the baby Cacique. Aniwee will follow, and finally Piñone and myself. Then, thanks be to God and our brave, dear Topsie, we shall have been all delivered from our terrible position.”
“All right, uncle,” answered Mr. Midshipman Harry briskly; “will you tie old Shag, or shall I?”
“I will, Harry,” replied Sir Francis, and he then proceeded to make the lasso safe under the shoulders and loins of the Labrador.
Shag stood very still. He knew perfectly well what was going to happen, being far too wise not to understand the turn affairs had taken. No one had watched Topsie’s ascent more closely and keenly than the big, shaggy Newfoundland, whose heart beat so lovingly for his young mistress. With cocked ears and gently wagging tail, therefore, he awaited his turn.
Poor Shag! He looked very helpless when he was being hauled up, and in spite of all Harry could do, he was cruelly bumped against the rocks and jagged points. But he uttered no sound of murmuring or complaint, and submitted bravely to the unpleasant ordeal.
As the lassos were being let down again, there was a slight shock of earthquake, which filled the Indians with fear, for they began shouting and running about, and behaving in a disordered manner. At once this information was shouted to those in the cave below, and Lady Vane suggested that Aniwee or Piñone should be hauled up next. But when Sir Francis invited the young Queen to take her turn she hung back.
“No!” she said, at once, and decidedly. “Aniwee will leave the cave the last. Did not the white girl Cacique risk her life for us, and shall Aniwee show fear because she is an Indian girl? Not so. Will Piñone and the white Cacique go now? Aniwee will follow. Aniwee has spoken.”