d his teeth, and waited, as it would be only a waste of
breath and energy to shout before the next runner was close enough
up to locate the sound.

Claude was shivering as though he would shake to pieces. He had
received a dreadful fright, for a fact, and it was having its due
effect upon his never strong frame. What would his doting mamma
think, and say, Hugh told himself, almost with a chuckle of amusement,
could she see her darling then and there, and realize how his very life
depended upon the strong muscles and will to do things that Hugh
Morgan had developed in himself?

How slowly the seconds passed! Hugh was trying to count, so as to
judge when the Marathon runner would be likely to have covered that
half-mile, and be at the spot where he, Hugh, had left the road.

When, finally, the time had expired he again spoke to Claude.

"Don't be startled, Claude, because I'm going to shout out. Hang
tight, now!"

With that he sent out a whoop, and coupled it with the name of "Just"
Smith. There was no immediate response, but then Hugh had already
discounted this in his mind, remembering how he also had come to a
sudden stop, and listened as though unable to believe his ears.

Again he shouted, and once more uttered the name of the other boy.
This time there came a speedy reply.

"Hello! that you, Hugh?"

"Yes, and I want help right away!" answered the boy who clung there
with a burden on his hands. "Turn out of the road to the left, and
hurry here. I'm down a precipice, Just. Keep coming, and I'll guide
you all right."

So Hugh continued to utter loud shouts every ten seconds or so. He
could catch the calls of the advancing runner, and knew from their
increasing loudness that he was gradually getting closer.

Then, looking up, he saw a head projected over the brink above. He
could easily understand how "Just" Smith's eyes must have almost
started from their sockets when discovering the dreadful position
of the pair below; and especially after he recognized Claude Jardin
the last fellow in the wide world whom he would have expected to see
in such a fix.

"H-h-how in the wide world did you get down there, Hugh?" gasped the
boy who leaned over the brink.

"I came down after Claude here, who'd fallen over, and was hanging to
a bush that was giving way," explained Hugh. "And now it's up to you
to get us both out of this scrape, Just."

"Oh, if only I had a rope!" cried the other, apparently nonplus