He explained to the protesting girl, as he ran with her to the foot of the rock, that she must cling to his shoulders with unfaltering courage whilst he climbed to the ledge with the aid of the pole and the rope placed there the previous day.

It was a magnificent feat of strength that he essayed.

In calmer moments he would have shrunk from its performance, if only on the score of danger to the precious burden he carried.

Now there was no time for thought.

Up he went, hand over hand, clinging to the rough pole with the tenacity of a limpet, and taking a turn of the rope over his right wrist at each upward clutch.