But what he said could not be heard.

The line of men hauled in the rope more and more quickly and then suddenly stopped and drew it in very gently.

For they could now hear what Francois said.
It was but one word, persistently repeated: "Gently! Gently!" And so gently they drew him up toward the mouth of the crevasse.

Chayne was standing too far back to see down beyond the edge, but he could hear Francois' ax clattering against the ice-walls, and the grating of his boots.

Michel, who was kneeling at the edge of the chasm, held up his hand, and the men upon the rope ceased to haul.