So he was, and when the moment of trial came he lifted and helped with a will. All the ram really needed was to be helped to put his fore-feet on the tumbling stones, and then to be hauled and shoved until his hind-feet were compelled to follow.
Ten minutes more, and then, with a big pull and a great shout, out came the unlucky sheep. It had been an unsettled question in the minds of the boys, until that instant, whether his horns, or his neck, or the rope might not give way, and as for themselves, a redder-faced lot had not been seen in the whole valley since school closed.
"Now, boys," shouted Charley, "the rope. Hitch it strong."
Charley's weakness was for climbing, and he would have scorned the idea of not being able to master so simple a situation as that.
"Here comes the other sheep," shouted Put. "Charley, are your feet wet? Look at your friend."
He was worth looking at, for he was himself looking at the well mouth as if he was studying, under his much-pulled horns, how on earth he ever got out of that thing.
"Ba-a-a-a-a! ba-a!"
"I'll take the rope off, and then we'll cut."
Abe was saying that in the very act of loosening the rope with his jackknife; but he should not have stood right in front of the ram to do it, for the very second the prize brute felt himself free, Abe felt something bump against him just above his waist. It was not very vigorous butting, and was only done from force of habit, but Abe went down.
"Run, boys, run! He'll go for you next."