Artie tried to steady himself once more. Then as lightly as possible he tossed it to Westy, who caught it, surprisingly gentle. Seeing Westy slowly but surely drawing himself back again upon terra firma, Artie, with a dizziness amounting almost to nausea, stepped down from that Pinnacle of Destiny and into safety. Unashamed, he wiped the perspiration from off his face and sat down in the hollow a minute to regain his composure. “Well!” he called to Westy. “I’m down, but how am I going to get out?” “What were you saying, Art?” Westy shouted from above. Artie repeated his question. “Why you can get out the same way as you got in, can’t you?” “Not so’s you can notice it!” “Why not?” “Why? Just because there isn’t a place for me to get a foothold on the whole darn precipice; it’s just as smooth as glass.” CHAPTER XXVI—THE EAGLES’ RETURN “Never mind, Artie old boy,” Westy said soothingly. “I’ll run down and get the rope out of the canoe. Won’t take me a minute! You take a rest and try and enjoy the view while I am gone. Bet the lake looks like a regular amphitheater from there, doesn’t it?” “You told it!” replied Artie. “Say though, it’s a shame you didn’t get the chance to come down and take a look at the amphitheater yourself. If you had told me of your curiosity, I’d have let you get the bird yourself. There’s not a selfish motive in my make-up!” “I’ll say there isn’t,” Westy answered, glad of Artie’s good humor. “Artie!” “What?” “I am pretty sure I think I hear the eagles coming back!” “Don’t tell me that! You sure?” “Yep.” “What did you do with the bird?” “I laid it back on a rock and wrapped my scarf around it until I can see what’s the trouble with it.” “You better take it and run to the lake, Wes! They’re coming fast. I can see them way off.” “You don’t think I’m going to let you stay here all alone, do you?” Westy fairly screamed. “What kind of a scout do you think I am, huh?” “I’m safe enough here. You grab that bird and beat it as quick as you can. There’ll be something doing if they find the bird lying there hurt and you too! Two of us can’t fit in here and besides there isn’t time. You run and wait by the lake until they go away again, then you can help me get out. Oh, hurry, Wes, please, they’re almost here!” Not having any other choice, Westy was spurred into action by Artie’s pleading voice. He took the bird up carefully and started on a run, skillfully dodging in and out of the trees and bushes down along the trail. This he did to camouflage his presence from the two eagles, who had already descended upon the cliff. He maneuvered his descent without discovery, looking back from time to time to reassure himself that Artie was safe from detection.