e and reach as far as I can, you ought to
be able to catch my hand; and if you can I'll pull, and you can make
your feet walk pitty-pat up the side."

Her face, aglow from the climb, hung just above him. She had thrown off
her hat when she began the ascent and her hair was in disorder. Her eyes
were bright with excitement and fun. It was immensely to her
liking--this situation: her blood sang with the joy of it. She addressed
him with mocking composure.

"It's so easy it isn't right to take the money."

He protested that it was a foolish risk when he would certainly be
rescued in a short time. She, too, must remain where she was until the
ropes were brought.

"They never do that way in books," said Phil. "If I'd taken that tumble,
some man would have rescued me; and now that you're there, it's only
fair that I should pull you off. If I hadn't as good as told you you
couldn't, you wouldn't be there. That's the simple philosophy of that.
All ready! Here goes!"

Clinging to the tree with her knees to get a better grip she swung
herself down as far as possible. The sapling bent, but held stoutly.
Holton ceased protesting, held up his arms to catch her if she fell;
then as she repeated her "ready," he tiptoed, but barely touched her
finger-tips. She drew back slowly to gather strength for another effort.
It was the most foolhardy of undertakings. Only the tree, with its
questionable hold upon the cliff-side, held her above the gorge. She
strained her arms to the utmost; their finger-tips touched and she
clasped his hand. There was a tense moment; then her aid making it
possible, he dug his feet into the little crevices of the rocky surface
and began creeping up.

Once begun there was no letting go. The maple under their combined
weight curved like a bow. Phil set her teeth hard; her arms strained
until it seemed they would break. Then, as Holton began to aid himself
with his free hand, his weight diminished, and in one of these seconds
of relief, Phil braced herself for a supreme effort and drew him toward
her until he clutched the tree. He dragged himself up, and flung himself
down beside her. Neither spoke for several minutes. Those of the party
who remained below were now calling wildly to know what had happened.

"Trumpet the tidings that we are safe," said Phil when she had got her
breath.

"That was awful; horrible! What did you do it for? It was so absurd--so
unnecessary!" he cried, relief and anger mingling