laughing. "Come on, mate, let's get back."

Archy hesitated, but was obliged to come to the conclusion that he was
beaten this time, and he turned slowly to his companion and said,--

"Can you climb that rope?"

"Can I climb that rope? I should think I can!"

"But dare you venture now?"

Ram put his hand to his head, and gazed up thoughtfully.

"Well, it would be stoopid if I was to turn dizzy again. S'pose you
untie the rope from round you, and let me tie it round my waist. 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. Then, as he felt the strong hemp quiver in
his hands, he found himself wondering if the strands would snap one by
one with the terrible strain of the jerk, and whether the boy would drop
down into the sea.

What should he do then?

What should he do if the rope did not part? He did not think he would
have strength to draw the boy up, and, if he did, he was so unnerved
now, that he did not believe he would be able to drag him over the edge
on to the rock platform.

There! Ram must be turning giddy, he was so long; and, unable to bear
the pressure longer, Archy opened his eyes and crept nearer to the edge,
to face the horror of seeing the boy's wild upturned eyes.

But he saw nothing of the kind, save in the workings of his own
disordered imagination. What he did see was Ram's frank-looking rustic
face close up, and a hand was reached over the edge.

"You may get hold of me anywhere if you like," said the boy, "and give a
hand. That's your sty