than that "Yes" of a few moments before.

"I can't see, old fellow," I cried, when I had paid out what I thought
must be enough; "but this ought to be near you now. Can you see it?"

"Yes; but it is a dozen feet too high," he replied. "It won't reach
me."

"Yes, it will," I roared, for there was a despairing tone in those last
words. "Plenty more. Look out!"

I lowered away, and then shouted again:

"That enough?"

"Yes," he said, with a little more spirit in his tone; "it's long
enough, but quite out of my reach--a couple of yards away, and I dare
not move."

"I'll swing it to and fro till it comes close. Look out! Here goes."

I began to swing the rope; and as it went to and fro it sent small
stones rattling down and then splashing into the water, making me
shiver. But they evidently fell clear of Denham, who sent a thrill of
encouragement through me when he now spoke more cheerily.

"That's right," he said, and his words were repeated by the echoes. "A
little more--a little more. No. Harder. It keeps catching among the
stones. Give a good swing."

I did as he told me, and then nearly let go, for he uttered a wild cry,
almost a shriek. The next moment there was a peculiar rattling sound;
the lamp flashed out brilliantly and lighted up the shaft; there was a
sharp hiss, followed by a splash, and then all was in darkness.

"Denham!" I yelled, and I let the rest of the rope run through my hands
till it could hang taut, meaning to slide down it and go to his
assistance, for I was sure that all depended upon me now. I was already
changing my position, when--my sinking heart, which seemed to suggest
that I was about to descend to certain death, giving a sudden bound, and
I felt choking--Denham spoke again.

"I couldn't stop the lamp," he said; "the rope caught it and knocked it
off the ledge; but I've got hold."

"Hurrah!"

I suppose I shouted that word, but it came out involuntarily. Then I
listened, my heart beating painfully, for I could hear the poor fellow
moving now, but, as it seemed, sending stone after stone rolling and
splashing into the water.

However, nerved into action again, I did as he bade me, all the time
fearing it was too late, for he shouted hoarsely:

"Pull up, Val--pull! I'm going down."

My hands darted one over the other, the slack seeming endless as I heard
a low rushing sound mingled with the splashing of falling stones. Then
there was a sharp jerk at my wr