Every one had been speechless with horror a moment before, but now every one spoke with loosened tongue.
“The mule had all the food-stuffs,” said Anne.
“And the camp outfit as well,” added Mr. Vernon.
“Just think of the poor thing—down there crushed to bits,” wept Betty.
Some felt sorry for Jolt, and some felt sorry for themselves. Then Tally said, “Eef light scout crawl ober an’ tell what her see Jolt doin’, mebbe we save him.”
Betty was the lightest so she offered her services. She was tied securely to one of the ropes that hung on the saddle-horn, and Tally advised her what to do.
“Crawl to edge, look down. Tell what Jolt do, or eef he mashed in bottom!”
So Betty crept slowly over the shale and reached the edge of the ravine. She peered down, and the sunlight that shone through the trees just then, helped her to see plainly.
“Jolt’s standing on a wide ledge of rock about twenty feet lower than this one. His packs are gone—guess they tumbled down when the straps burst open. But there isn’t any spare room for him to exercise on,” reported Betty.
“Did you say he was standing upon his feet?” asked Mr. Gilroy, unbelievingly.