"
"I know, Father. And I don't suppose I shall have to rest at all, for
these cross sticks make it ten times as easy as having to grip the
rope only."
Dick laid himself down as Surajah had done, and crawled backwards
until he was lying half over the edge. Then he seized the rope and
began to descend, hand over hand. He counted the rungs as he went
down, and half way he sat down on one of the long pieces, hitched the
hooks on to the one above, and rested his arms. After a short pause,
he continued until he reached the bottom.
The captain, who was stooping with his hand on the rope, felt the
vibration cease, and as he leaned over he heard Dick call out:
"I am all right, Father. Those bits of wood make easy work of it."
Then the captain at once began to descend, and was soon standing
beside his son and Surajah.
"Thank God that job is finished! How do you both feel?"
"My arms feel as if they had done some work, Father. I have been four
or five months without practice, or I should hardly have felt it."
"And how are you, Surajah?"
"I feel ashamed at having been let down like a baby, Captain Holland,
and at being so nervous."
"There is nothing to be ashamed of," Captain Holland said.
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