We"re just the boys as can do it. Why, it arn"t half so bad as being up on the main-top gallant yard.
""Fol de rol de-riddle-lol-de-ri.""
"Don"t make that noise, Jem, pray."
"Why not, my lad? That"s your sort; try all the roots before you trust "em. I"m getting on splen--"
_Rush_!
"Jem!"
"All right, Mas" Don! Only slipped ten foot of an easy bit to save tumbles."
"It isn"t true. I was looking at you, and I saw that root you were holding come out of the rock."
"Did you, Mas" Don? Oh, I thought I did that o" purpose," came from below.
"Where are you?"
"Sitting straddling on a big bit o" bush."
"Where? I can"t see you."
"Here, all right. "Tarn"t ten foot, it"s about five and twenty--
""De-riddle-lol-de-ri.""
"Jem, we must climb back. It is too risky."
"No, we mustn"t, Mas" Don; and it arn"t a bit too risky. Come along, and I"ll wait for you."
Don hesitated for a minute, and then continued his descent, which seemed to grow more perilous each moment.
"Say, Mas" Don," cried Jem cheerily, "what a chance for them birds.
Couldn"t they dig their bills into us now!"
"Don"t talk so, Jem. I can"t answer you."
"Must talk, my lad. Them fern things is as rotten as mud. Don"t you hold on by them. Steady! Steady!"
"Yes. Slipped a little."
"Well, then, don"t slip a little. What"s your hands for?
""There was a man in Bristol city, Fol de rol de--""
"Say, Mas" Don, think there"s any monkeys here?"
"No, no."
""Cause how one o" they would scramble down this precipit. Rather p.r.i.c.ky, arn"t it?"
"Yes; don"t talk so."
"All right!
""De-riddle-liddle-lol."
"I"m getting on first rate now, Mas" Don--I say."
"Yes!"
"No press-gang waiting for us down at the bottom here, Mas" Don?"
"Can you manage it, Jem?"
"Can I manage it? Why, in course I can. How are you getting on?"
Don did not reply, but drew a long breath, as he slowly descended the perilous natural ladder, which seemed interminable.
They were now going down pretty close together, and nearly on a level, presence and example giving to each nerve and endurance to perform the task.
"Steady, dear lad, steady!" cried Jem suddenly, as there was a sharp crack and a slip.
"Piece I was resting on gave way," said Don hoa.r.s.ely, as he hung at the full length of his arms, vainly trying to get a resting-place for his feet.
Jem grasped the position in an instant, but remained perfectly cool.
"Don"t kick, Mas" Don."
"But I can"t hang here long, Jem."
"n.o.body wants you to, my lad. Wait a minute, and I"ll be under you, and set you right.
""There was a man in Bristol city,""
he sang cheerily, as he struggled sidewise. ""Fol de--" I say, Mas"
Don, he was a clever one, but I believe this here would ha" bothered him. It"s hold on by your eyelids one minute, and wish you was a fly next."
"Jem."
"Hullo, lad?"
"If I let go and dropped, how far should I fall?"
""Bout two foot ten," said Jem, after a glance below them at the sheer precipice.
"Then I had better drop."