Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 121: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

I1i2 “That’s right, old chap,” he re- marked. “ Up you go.” I wasted no time or words in argu- ment, being well aware that he would defend for half an hour if necessary his proposition that I should have the first chance of ascent. I merely smiled upon him compassionately, reeving a deft hangman’s knot. This done, I flung myself suddenly upon my companion, threw the loop over his shoulders, and drew it tight be- neath his arm pits. Then I yelled lust- ily, dragging at the rope with hearty tugs. Amid the faint echo of an answering shout from above, I had the pleasure of seeing my friend fly swiftly towards the roof of the cavern, using language which might well have melted the ad- joining ice. In a very halo of cursing his legs disappeared into the intricacies of the ice dome, his feet kicking ex- travagantly at space and dislodging an occasional icicle upon me like a male- diction. There was silence, and I was left alone with the ceaseless drip and the dreamy tinkle of the underground wa- terway. I will own that for the few moments | was left companionless in the near pres- ence of that musty ring of shriveled corpses I felt as uncomfortable as IJ re- member to have felt in my life. You must not forget that I was phys- ically weak from the shock of my fall, and that my nerves had been wrung past tension point by my anxiety for Gerry. Then you will understand that the drip, the purr of the stream ripple, the gray green light from above in the uncertainty of its shadowing, the knowl- edge of the gruesomeness behind me, and the vault-like atmosphere, com- bined to make me almost hysterical. I could have screamed aloud, and didn’t for reasons only known to my English birthright of prejudice and pride. I wrestled through these aeon long instants of mental breakdown, and then there came the heartsome sound of a THE ARGOSY. crack from above. I opened my eyes to see the rope fall anew upon the peb- bly floor. With eager fingers I looped it over my shoulders, and with a mighty Jerk gave the signal to haul away. So I fled cherubim-like up out of the glassy solitudes into the untainted air and the blessedness of the sun, and never have I rejoiced with more whole souled gratitude in the same. | CHAPTER XV. THE MOUNTAIN WAKES. As I shot beamingly out into the wholesome light of day a’ cheer rang out, waking the cold echoes delight- fully. More than half the ship’s com- pany was ringing the crevasse mouth, Mr. Rafferty and half a dozen sailors hauling at the rope with a vigor that bespoke their entire satisfaction in the job. It was with a mighty tug that they finally yanked me on to the glacier, and I unwound myself and crawled on to the flat ice most thankfully. Gwen was there with Denvarre, and V1 was standing talking to Gerry, who leaned back luxuriously on a rug, en- joying the sunlight and the smiles of the ladies. Waller, his usual apathetic calm broken by an obvious air of relief, was the first to take my hand, and Les- saution, bandages and all, was ready to weep with a joy that I really believe was unaffected. He had already gleaned from Gerry a slight inkling of the wonders that lay beneath his feet, and was demanding to be immediately lowered into their pres- ence. His gratitude at our marvelous escape had a strong rival for the pos- session of his soul in the jealousy he felt that this notable discovery should have fallen to any one but himself. I think Gwen, happy as she may have been in her new found love for Den- varre, could not altogether have for- gotten that she and I, though we had never acknowledged it defritely, bat SS eo