Involuntarily, Barbara had flung herself down on her hands and knees to keep from falling over into the abyss.
“Ruth couldn’t have,” she thought. “No, no!” But hark! Was that again the low moaning sound of the waters? Barbara lay flat on the rocks, stretching her head over the embankment. There, in a cleft between two great rocks, fifteen feet below her, a dark object hung!
“Ruth! Ruth!” Bab called, her voice coming from her throat in a hoarse cry. Again she heard the faint moan. This time she knew the sound. It was Ruth! What could she do? Run for help? Any second, Bab realized, Ruth’s strength might fail, and she would let go her grasp. Barbara could not bear to think of the horrible end.
As far as she could see, Ruth’s feet rested on a narrow ledge of rock, while she clung with her hands to a cliff that jutted out overhead. “Ruth! Ruth!” Barbara called again, but this time her voice was clear and strong. “It is Bab! Do you understand? Hold on a little longer. I am coming.”
Swiftly a prayer came into Barbara’s mind: “Lord, show me the way.” Yet even while she prayed she acted. “Help, help!” Bab called out.
Barbara Lay Flat on the Rocks.