Boy Scouts on the Open Plains; Or, The Round-Up Not OrderedRalphson, G. Harvey (George Harvey)
General
Boy Scouts on the Open Plains; Or, The Round-Up Not Ordered
Ralphson, G. Harvey (George Harvey)
Boy Scouts of America -- Juvenile fiction; Ranches -- Juvenile fiction; West (U.S.) -- Juvenile fiction
"But glory be, he ain't, all the same!" said a voice just then that
thrilled them all. "If ye be lookin' over this way ye'll discover the
same Jimmy aholdin' on with a death grip to a fine old rock that sticks
out from the face of the precipice. But 'tis me arms that feel like
they was pulled part way out of the sockets with the jerk; and I'd
thank ye to pass a rope down as soon as ye get over the surprise of
havin' a ghost address ye."
"Bully for you, Jimmy!" exclaimed Jack; "seems like you've got nearly
as many lives as a cat. Hold on like anything, because Ned's getting a
rope right now, and he'll heave it over in three shakes of a lamb's
tail. Don't look down, Jimmy, but keep your eye on me. We'll pull you
out of that in a jiffy, sure we will. And here comes Ned right now with
the rope. He's even made a noose at the end, so as to let you put your
foot in the same. Keep holding on, Jimmy, old fellow!"
In this manner, then, did Jack try to encourage the one in peril, so as
to stiffen his muscles, and cause him to keep his grip on that friendly
crag that had saved him from sharing the dreadful fate of the wretched
burro.
Jimmy had fortunately kept his wits about him, and although the strain
was very great, because he could find no rest for his dangling feet, he
managed to hold his awkward position until the rope came within reach.
"Be careful, now, how you manage!" called Ned, from his position
fifteen feet above the head of the imperiled scout. "Let me angle for
your foot, and once I get the noose fast around it, you can rest your
weight safely. But Jimmy, remember not to let go with one hand, because
your other might slip. Leave it all to me."
Ned was already working the rope so that the open noose twirled slowly
around, coming in contact with Jimmy's foot, which the other thrust out
purposely. While no expert in such angling and more or less worked up
with fears lest Jimmy suddenly lose his precarious hold, and go down to
his death, Ned presently met with success. The noose passed over the
waiting foot, and was instantly jerked tight by a quick movement from
above.
By then Jack was alongside the scout master eager to lend his
assistance when it came to the point of lifting Jimmy. Harry, too,
hovered just behind them, unable to look over because it made him dizzy
when so terribly excited, but only too ready to take hold of the end of
the rope and bracing his feet against some projection of the rocky
trail, throw all his weight into the endeavor to draw the one they
meant to rescue to the safety of the path.
It was speedily but cautiously accomplished, for Ned would not allow
himself to be needlessly hurried, knowing how disasters so often result
from not taking the proper care.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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