The strain was too great for it. The ropes parted at a weak spot near
the knot.

The Pony Riders were too much stunned to do more than gaze upon that
which they believed meant the death of their companion.

Chunky, who appeared to be the coolest of any, had been watching the
knot approaching him with almost fascinated interest. He was
speculating what would happen should the knot chance to come
apart. And the very emergency that he was considering did happen.

"The rope's broken!" shouted the Professor.

But Chunky had no need to be told that. He knew it already, almost
before they realized it.

With great presence of mind, and an agility that none would have given
him credit for, the fat boy threw himself upon the line that was
whisking over the cliff.

Somehow he managed to fasten both hands on it.

The boy began to slide along the ground with the speed of an express
train.

"Grab him! Grab him, somebody! He's going over the cliff!"

"Let go!" bellowed Ned Rector.