Their new burden was a dead weight and it was all the outlaws could do to get him up to the edge, where the body awkwardly caught under the shelf of the ledge.
"Make it fast around the rock!" commanded Frank, sharply. "Bill, you get your arm around the rock and all join hands. All lie down."
Quickly was the human chain forged, and with Harry holding him by the feet, Frank leaned far out over the dizzy height and exerting every ounce of strength that he possessed pulled the body of the great bandit over onto the rock.
"He's bound!" hissed Frank.
It was but the work of a moment to sever the thongs that held him. The elder brother already had slipped his hand over Jesse's heart and learned that he still lived.
"Bill where's that flask?" he demanded.
Wild Bill passed it over and a large draught was quickly forced down the throat of the great bandit.
The result was gratifying. He began to choke and at a signal from Frank they picked him up and carried him just within the mouth of the cave.
"Hey," hailed a voice from below. "Going to leave me down here all night? This tree's liable to give way and send me to kingdom come."
"Pull him up," directed Frank, redoubling his efforts to bring his brother back to consciousness.