She scrambled up, grasping the icy ledge above. It broke in her fingers.
“Hurry!” muttered Mr. Eckenrod, gritting his teeth.
With desperate haste, Penny obtained another handhold which seemed fairly firm. She could feel Mr. Eckenrod sagging beneath her. Knowing it was then or never, she heaved herself up and rolled onto the ledge. Miraculously, it held her weight.
Relieved of the burden of the girl’s weight, Mr. Eckenrod collapsed on the floor of the crevasse again, moaning with pain.
“Oh, Mr. Eckenrod!” Penny was aghast.
“Go on!” he urged in a stern voice. “You can make it now! Climb on out and bring help! And be quick about it!”
CHAPTER
10
MR. ECKENROD’S SECRET
Thus urged, Penny scrambled up the slippery, sloping side of the wall and reached the top safely.
Completely spent, she lay there a moment resting.
“Don’t give up!” she called to Mr. Eckenrod. “I’ll get back as fast as I can!”