drag over the sharp edge of
the stone, or we may lose her."

Margery indulged in a fresh attack of shivering. Hazel gripped her
arm, whispering, "Brace up, dear!"

"Oh, I can--n't," sobbed Margery. "My knees won't hold me up."

"Now, girls," called Harriet cheerily, "take hold of the rope, but be
gentle about it. Remember, a sharp jolt might be a serious thing for
Tommy. It might jerk Miss Elting over, too, so be very careful. Now,
Tommy, we are going to pull you up. Don't reach for the rock. It
won't help you any to do so. Just hang limp. Try to imagine that you
are a bag of meal and we are pulling you up for the muffins to-morrow
morning."

"Oh, I can't laugh," wailed Tommy.

"Then cry, if you wish, but don't make a noise doing it. Shed all the
tears you wish to, but let them be silent tears. Now then!"

Harriet stepped back, taking firm hold of the rope. She was near the
edge of the shelf, Hazel directly behind her, with Margery still
farther back.

"When you are ready, Miss Elting! Let us know when you wish a fresh
hold." Harriet was perfectly calm outwardly.

"Ready!"

"All together! One, two, three--pull! Steady; not so violently. This
is a small rope, and----"

"Whoa!" interjected the guardian sharply.

"We are taking up the slack back here. Good work for you girls,"
encouraged the guide.

"What is it? Oh, what is it?" screamed Tommy.

"Stop that noise!" commanded Harriet. "Everything is all right!"

"Ready again," commanded Miss Elting. "One, two, three--pull!"

Tommy came up about a foot this time. Her progress was slow, but it
was, at least, sure.

Jane and the guide were acting as anchors, at the same time assisting
in pulling on the line, holding down when the pauses came.

After every pull Miss Elting would call a halt while she worked the
round stick down over the edge of the rock to keep the rope from being
unduly worn. In this way Tommy came up little by little, now and then
uttering a sharp scream at some unexpected jolt. Once, when the rope
slipped from the round stick, Tommy felt herself slipping into
unconsciousness, but pluckily recovered herself. She clenched her
fists until the nails almost cut into the flesh of her hands, and all
the time she was wondering if the belt that seemed to be cutting her in
two would hold or break. Those on the ledge above were wondering much
the same thing. They were operating with extreme caution for that very
reason.