The guide took
quick advantage of the opportunity offered by Harriet to slip the loop
in the rope over one of Tommy's feet, then draw it taut.
"I'm caught. Mercy, I'm caught!" screamed Tommy.
"Hang on to her! Don't let go! Stop that yelling until I tell you
what to do!" commanded the guide. "We're going to pull you up the best
way we can git you up. If you don't like it, don't fight; just yell.
Hold her as she is, Miss Harriet, while I give her foot a yank."
He really did jerk on the rope, but more for the purpose of tightening
the loop than for any other reason. Of course, the proceeding was
followed by an ear-piercing scream. Janus promptly began to pull up on
the line. Tommy's foot came up with it, leaving the other foot and one
arm dangling in the air nearly two hundred feet from the bottom of the
cliff.
"Pull when we get her level. No; the rest of you folks keep back, or
we'll all be over, first thing we know. There! Over she comes!" With
a final effort they had landed Tommy on the shelf. She was sobbing
pitifully. Her ordeal had been sufficient to upset the strongest
nerved person.
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