Seventy-five feet from the top the strain slackened.
"It has reached the bottom," cried Guy joyfully.
"We had better make sure," said Forbes. "Haul up the rope again."
As the hook came over the top Melton grasped it.
"Are the ropes securely tied?" he asked.
"Yes; they won't part," replied Guy.
"All right, then. Hold the end tightly. Here goes."
He flung the hook far into the air, and the next instant Guy felt a sharp jerk.
"The hook is swinging in air," he cried in wonder.
"I was right," said Melton; "that was only a ledge it struck before. The bottom may be a hundred feet or more distant."