"Run for the horses' reins," I cried. "I'll hold the rope while you are gone."
The end of the rope was partly secured around a rocky projection, and away bounded the Kanaka on the mission to the carriage. When he returned the faithful fellow was out of breath with running and leaping.
The leather straps were readily adjusted, and we shouted to Oliver to hold hard, as we were going to let down again.
"All right," he cried. "But go slow, for it is dark and uncertain down here."
Soon we reached the ends of the reins. "That's all!" I yelled. "Aren't you at the bottom yet?"
"No; but I'll risk dropping," came the reply, and we heard a thump on the rocks and the line loosened up. Then we waited patiently for him to report.
"He's here!" he cried, after a long pause.
"Yes, I'm alive," came in Dan's voice, feebly. "But I've had the worst tumble of my life."
"Are you seriously hurt?" I questioned.
"My shoulder is bruised, but that is all, excepting that my wind is short."
"Thank God it is no worse!" I murmured fervently. I turned to the Kanaka. "Now to get both of them up again," I said, and at the same time wondered how we would accomplish the deed.
