over the edge of the
rock.

"But the tree is drawing you away from us," shouted the doctor. "Let
go, I say."

All this time it was as though Jack Penny were made of india-rubber, for
as we pulled his legs it was against something elastic, which kept
giving and drawing us back.

For a few moments it seemed doubtful whether we should save him, for our
hold was hastily taken and none of the best, and I felt the cold
perspiration gathering in my hands and on my brow. Then just as I felt
that I must give way, and the doctor's hard panting breathing sounded
distant and strange through the singing in my ears, our desperate
tugging prevailed over even the wild clutch of one who believed himself
in deadly peril. Jack's hands relaxed, and we all fell together amongst
the bushes, but safe.

No one spoke, and the dull sound of panting was heard even amidst the
roar of the falling waters. Then the doctor got up, looking fierce and
angry, and seizing Jack by the collar he gave him a shake.

"Look here," he said. "I'll have no more of it. Next time you get into
danger, you may save yourself."

"Thank ye, doctor," said Jack, sitting up and rocking himself softly.
"I might just as well have gone as be treated like this. You might have
taken hold of a fellow's clothes, both of you. You've about tore the
flesh off my bones."

The doctor turned away to look at the great waterfall, evidently amused
by Jack's dry drawling speech; and I sat and looked at my companion,
while he looked at me, and spoke out so as to make me hear above the
roar of the torrent.

"I say, Joe Carstairs, I didn't seem to be very much frightened, did I?"

"No," I said. "You bore it very bravely."

"Mean it?"

"Of course," I said.

"That's right; because I did feel awfully queer, you know. I don't mind
that though so long as I didn't show it."

"How did you manage to get into such a pickle?" I said.

"Oh, I don't know," he drawled, still rubbing himself gently. "I was
wandering forward to get a good look at the waterfall, and then my legs
seemed to go down. I only had time to grip hold of that tree, and then
I was swinging about. That's all. Let's have a look at the water,
though, all the same."

We followed the doctor, going cautiously along till we found him
standing gun in hand gazing from a bare spot right out at the huge
tumbling body of water, which made the very rocks on which we stood
tremble and vibrate as it thundered down