With the rope tied around his waist, he pushed
himself out as he had done twice before during the preceding hour, then,
gripping the edge of the shelf, dragged himself forward. For a moment,
as he swung over the depths, it looked as if he would be unable to drag
himself up, and we clung on to the rope and watched him with frightened
eyes. But youth and courage won the day. Slowly, inch by inch, he lifted
himself, the lips of the two girls moving in dumb prayer; then we lost
sight of him as he drew his legs up on to the ledge, and we knew that we
were safe!
The youngster secured the rope to a projection on the shelf above, and
the Professor, nervous but game, was the next to make the perilous
journey. It was blood-curdling to watch the old man swaying over the
depths while Holman, lying flat upon his stomach, gripped him beneath
the arms and dragged the poor old scientist to safety.
Barbara went next, and when the rope was lowered once more I secured it
around Edith's waist. I held her in my arms as I pushed her body forward
to Holman's strong hands that waited just below the ledge, and for one
brief instant her lips came close to mine, and with a mad, wild love
that had been born in danger, where there was no time for words, I
stooped and kissed her.
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