Ralphson George Harvey - Boy Scouts on the Open Plains; The Round-Up Not Ordered стр 4.

Jimmy had fortunately kept his wits about him, and although the strain was very great, because he could find no rest for his dangling feet, he managed to hold his awkward position until the rope came within reach.

Be careful, now, how you manage! called Ned, from his position fifteen feet above the head of the imperiled scout. Let me angle for your foot, and once I get the noose fast around it, you can rest your weight safely. But Jimmy, remember not to let go with one hand, because your other might slip. Leave it all to me.

Ned was already working the rope so that the open noose twirled slowly around, coming in contact with Jimmys foot, which the other thrust out purposely. While no expert in such angling and more or less worked up with fears lest Jimmy suddenly lose his precarious hold, and go down to his death, Ned presently met with success. The noose passed over the waiting foot, and was instantly jerked tight by a quick movement from above.

By then Jack was alongside the scout master eager to lend his assistance when it came to the point of lifting Jimmy. Harry, too, hovered just behind them, unable to look over because it made him dizzy when so terribly excited, but only too ready to take hold of the end of the rope and bracing his feet against some projection of the rocky trail, throw all his weight into the endeavor to draw the one they meant to rescue to the safety of the path.

It was speedily but cautiously accomplished, for Ned would not allow himself to be needlessly hurried, knowing how disasters so often result from not taking the proper care.

Jimmy was looking a trifle peaked and worried as he came clambering over the edge of the narrow path, assisted by Ned, who as soon as he could get a grip on the other scouts jacket knew that all was well. No sooner did Jimmy realize that he was surely safe than he proceeded to indulge on one of his favorite grins, although they could see that a deep sigh of gratitude accompanied the same.

The very first thing he did was to turn around, and lying flat on his chest, look back down into that gulf from which he had just been dragged.

Gee, whiz! but that was somethin of a drop, believe me! he remarked, trying to keep his voice from trembling. And there lies me silly old burro on his back with never a sign of a kick acomin. Hes sure on the blink and whatever am I agoin to do now, without any Navajo blanket to sleep in nights? Mebbe we might have ropes aplenty to lower me down there, so I could recover me valuables. Tis a piece of great luck I had me Marlin gun in me hands at the time and dropped it on the ledge, so I did.

If we couldnt get the things any other way, Jimmy, announced Ned, perhaps Id agree to that spliced rope business, because weve got more than thirty yards of good line with us, but Id go down myself and not let you try a second time. Still I dont think itll be necessary. From what I see of the lay of the mountain we can reach that place after we leave this narrow trail.

Jimmy did not insist. Perhaps his nerves had been more roughly shaken by his recent experience than he cared to admit; and the possibility of again finding himself dangling in space did not appeal very strongly to him.

It was just as well that Ned decided the matter as he did, for they

found that once the end of the narrow stretch of rock was gained it was no great task to creep along the side of the mountain to the place where the dead pack animal lay.

Ned and Jack made the little journey and in due time turned up again carrying with them all that had been upon the burro, save the water keg.

We left that behind, explained Ned, because as we are done with desert travel for this trip we wont find any need of such a thing. But heres your precious Navajo colored blanket, Jimmy; likewise weve saved what grub there was in the pack.

Good for you, Ned; Id hated to lose that blanket the worst kind, you know; and as for the food end of the deal, well, whats the use telling you how I feel about that when you all know that Im the candy boy when the dinner horn blows.

Jimmy was a great feeder, as Jack called it, and on many an occasion this weakness on his part had made him the butt of practical jokes on the part of his chums. But Jimmy was not the one to give up any cherished object simply because some one laughed at him on account of it. He was more apt to join in the merriment and consider it all a good joke.

The journey was now resumed, and the balance of the afternoon they met with no new hardships or perils worth recording. When the day was done and the shadows of coming night began to steal forth from all their hiding places where the bright sunlight had failed to locate them, the four scouts had reached the foot of the rocky mountain range and looked out upon the plain.

Here they made camp and passed a pleasant night with nothing to disturb their slumbers save the distant howl of a wolf, which was a familiar sound in the ears of these lads, since they had roughed it on many occasions in the past in more than a few strange parts of the world.