below me, it will hang
close to your hands. If you are slipping, and feel you _must_ clutch at
something, catch hold of that. Only, if possible, shout first, and I will
stick on like a limpet, and try to withstand the strain. But don't do it,
unless really necessary."

He picked up Myra's shoes and stockings, and put them into his big
pockets.

At that moment an advance wave rushed up the sand and caught their bare
feet.

"Oh, Jim Airth," cried Myra, "go without me! I have not a steady head. I
cannot climb."

He put his hands upon her shoulders, and looked full into her eyes.

"You _can_ climb," he said. "You _must_ climb. You _shall_ climb. We must
climb--or drown. And, remember: if you fall, I fall too. You will not be
saving me, by letting yourself go."

She looked up into his eyes, despairingly. They blazed into hers from
beneath his bent brows. She felt the tremendous mastery of his will. Her
own gave one final struggle.

"I have nothing to live for, Jim Airth," she said. "I am alone in the
world."

"So am I," he cried. "I have been worse than alone, for a half score of
years. But there is _life_ to live for. Would you throw away the highest
of all gifts? I want to live--Good God! I _must_ live; and so must you.
We live or die together."

He loosed her shoulders and took her by the wrists. He lifted her
trembling hands, and held them against his breast.

For a moment they stood so, in absolute silence.

Then Myra felt herself completely dominated. All fear slipped from her;
but the assurance which took its place was his courage, not hers; and she
knew it. Lifting her head, she smiled at him, with white lips.

"I shall not fall," she said.

Another wave swept round their ankles, and remained there.

"Good," said Jim Airth, and loosed her wrists. "We shall owe our lives to
each other. Next time I look into your face, please God, we shall be in
safety. Come!"

He sprang up the face of the cliff, standing in the highest niches he had
made.

"Now follow me, carefully," he said; "slowly, and carefully. We are not
in a position to hurry. Always keep each hand and each foot firmly in a
niche. Are you there? Good!... Now don't look either up or down, but keep
your eyes on my heels. Directly I move, come on into the empty places.
See?... Now then. Can you manage?... Good! On we go! After all it won't
take long.... I say, what fun if the Miss Murgatroyds peeped over the
cliff! Amelia would be so shocked