At last they succeeded in pulling Ned and Chunky to the surface. Both
boys were thoroughly exhausted by the time they were hauled up, and
for a moment they lay breathing hard.
"Lucky my pants didn't rip, wasn't it?" grinned Chunky. "Did you see
me fall in? But where's Tad?" he exclaimed, suddenly sitting up.
The Professor had already hurried to the edge as soon as he was able
to get his breath, calling loudly into the depths.
There was no answer. Then the boys added their voices to his, but
without result.
Tad could hear them call, but as yet he did not possess the strength
to answer. When the rope parted he realized instantly that he was
falling, and sought desperately to check his fall. He was powerless
to do so. However, the rope did this for him to a certain extent,
catching here and there in crevices in the rocks, jolting Tad almost
into unconsciousness as he bounded up and down. Finally the springing
rope bounced him clear of the last jagged points, dropping him neatly
into the bushes.
Tad landed squarely on the pack that he had gone in search of, but the
shock was so severe that for a time he lay stunned and motionless.
When finally he became conscious he heard his companions far above
calling.
The lad tried and tried to answer them, to assure them that he was
safe, but the roar of the stream beside him seemed to drown his
weakened voice.
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