The engineer did as requested, and Jim slipped the rope's end around one of the log joists and tied it securely.
"It will be a good thing to have this fastened here, in case we should have to come back," remarked Jim.
"Which I hope we won't until we get something to eat," said Berwick, who was not so young and enthusiastic as to find sufficient food in an adventure as Jim did.
"Might fish through here," remarked Jim.
"Yes, with a bent pin," replied the engineer caustically, "as far as getting anything to eat."
Jim laughed gleefully.
"Well, I'm off, or down rather," he said, his face growing sober. "You're next, Chief."