of you. Above all, don't struggle, or you may throw me off my balance,
and then it's good-bye to both of us. Now, be ready!"

Hugh's calculations proved to be correct, for the bush gave way, and
fell with a clatter of small stones and loosened earth, down toward
the bottom of the steep declivity. Claude uttered a cry of dismay
when he felt his support gone; but quickly he gripped the rocky knob
with his left and more convulsively than ever, while Hugh sustained
him to the best of his ability.

"That was well done, Claude," Hugh now told him, his main object being
to put a little more confidence in the other boy, and thus lighten
his own load. "We'll manage to cling here for a bit longer. When
I think 'Just' Smith is getting near by I'll let out a whoop that is
bound to fetch him to our assistance."

One, two, three minutes passed. It was very trying to Hugh, and
already his muscles began to feel the undue strain keenly. But
he gritted his teeth, and waited, as it would be only a waste of
breath and energy to shout before the next runner was close enough
up to locate the sound.

Claude was shivering as though he would shake to pieces. He had
received a dreadful fright, for a fact, and it was having its due
effect upon his never strong frame. What would his doting mamma
think, and say, Hugh told himself, almost with a chuckle of amusement,
could she see her darling then and there, and realize how his very life
depended upon the strong muscles and will to do things that Hugh
Morgan had developed in himself?