Seizing the rope as high as
he could reach above his head, he began to drag himself up hand over
hand--no easy task, for the hide cord was thin, and cut his fingers and
his right leg, round which he had twisted it to get a better purchase.
Presently, however, he succeeded in setting his foot in the loop he had
prepared, when he found that his head and shoulders were in the hole,
and that by reaching upwards he could grasp the staff which lay across
it. The rest was easy, and within half a minute he lay gasping at his
master's side.

"Have you a knife, Otter?"

"Yes, Baas, my small one, the big ones are down there; I will tell you
that story by and by."

"Never mind the story now, Otter. My hands are tied behind my back. Feel
for the lashings and cut them, then give me the knife that I may free my
legs."

Otter obeyed, and presently Leonard rose and stretched himself with a
sigh of relief.

"Where is the Shepherdess, Baas?"

"There, in the next cell. They separated me from her, and since then I
have been dangled by the legs over that hole bound and gagged, I think
in order to persuade her to consent to something or other by the sight
of my danger, for doubtless she was placed where she could see all. Then
they left me, and I managed to spit out the gag, but I could not undo
the cords. I expect that they will soon be back again."

"Then had we not better fly, Baas? I have found a passage that leads to
the mountains."

"How can we fly and leave the Shepherdess, Otter? Since I have been held
down the hole, only two men have visited me from time to time, for they
think me helpless. Let us seize these men when they come in and take
their knives, for we are unarmed. Then we can think; also we shall have
their keys."

"Yes, Baas, we may do that. You take the staff; it is stout."

"And what will you use?" asked Leonard.

"Fear not, Baas. Do these men bear lights?"

"Yes."

"Then in two minutes I will make me a weapon."

And, untying the hide rope from the stick, he began to fumble with it
busily.

"Now I am ready, Baas," he said presently. "Where shall we stand?"

"Here," answered Leonard, leading him to the door. "We will crouch in
the shadow, one on either side of this door, and when the priests have
entered and closed it, and begin to look round for me, then we can
spring upon them. Only, Otter, there must be no bungling and no noise."

"I think that there will be none, Baas; they will be too frightened