Then you go up first, and when I come, you'll be ready to lend me a hand." "Yes, that will be best," said Archy.
"Without you want to leave me ?" said the boy, laughing.
The midshipman made no reply.

There was an arduous task before him, and his nerves were unstrung.

After he had unfastened the end of the rope and passed it to Ram, who did not secure the end about him, but the middle, after he had nearly drawn it tight, so that, if he did slip, the fall would not be so long.

Then reluctantly, but feeling that it must be done, Archy climbed the thirty feet of rope between him and the great ledge, slowly and surely, glad to lie down and close his eyes as soon as he was in safety so far.
He tried to, but he dared not look over when the rope began to quiver again.

He contented himself with taking hold near the edge, and crouched there, picturing the boy turning dizzy once more from his injury, letting go, and dropping with a terrible jerk to the extent of the rope where it was tied.