' rope and as many
other strong lads as ye can find in the school. Be quick, for it is
Miss Hollyhock, no less, that we are tryin' to save.'

Jasper felt a sick, terrible fear creeping over him; but he was a lad
of fine courage. In a very few minutes he had roused Andy Mackenzie,
John Meiklejohn, and his own brother Wallace, and, with a great coil of
rope, joined Magsie outside the window.

'I don't want my mother frightened,' said Jasper; 'but whatever is
wrong, Magsie?'

'Didn't I tell ye? Isn't my heart like to break? She would do it, the
wild lassie; she would take out Lightnin' Speed to the gap between the
twa rocks and put him to the leap at this time o' nicht. Eh, but what
horse wad stan' such doin's and the moon at the full?'

'However did she get Lightning Speed?' asked Jasper.

'That was my fault! She coaxed me, and coaxed Joey Comfort, my young
man, to get Lightnin' Speed into the stables o' the Palace o' the
Kings. They were havin' prizes--thochts o' the de'il, I think
them--and what must she do but make up her mind to leap across the
rocks when the moon was at the full! Ah, I ken I'm richt! I went to
the stables, and Lightnin' Speed was not there. She's that bold! She
may even now be floatin' in the water. Oh, I 'm afeared; I 'm near mad
wi' fear.'

'Well, come along, come along,' said Jasper. 'We haven't a second to
lose. Why, if there is not Lightning Speed his very self! Hollyhock,
as like as not, is close behind him.--Lightning Speed, my bonnie
beastie, wherever is your mistress?'

Lightning Speed--who had to pass The Paddock on his way back to the
Palace of the Kings and The Garden--turned like a flash and led the way
up the gorge. He was much relieved in his dear horsy mind by this
goodly assembly of young rescuers. Much he wished he could speak, but
that gift was denied him.

At last, however, panting and puffing, Magsie and the boys reached the
cleft in the rocks. Lightning Speed, still wearing his side-saddle,
which was pulled a little crooked, bent over the chasm and turned his
black eyes to Jasper, as much as to say, 'Now this work is yours. Call
out to her; call out to her!'

Lightning Speed whinnied very gently, and then Jasper knelt down and
looked into the great hole. The noise of the rushing water made his
voice difficult to hear for the girl, who was still clinging to the
ledge of rock.

But at last, to his infinite delight, Jasper heard her answer very
wea