Page:Off For Hawaii.djvu/62

50, but he did not take into consideration the nature of the ground upon which we stood, and as he was about to leap, his feet slipped on the volcanic rock and he pitched headlong.

"He's gone!" gasped Oliver, as the youth disappeared from view. "He has killed himself!"

Dan was indeed gone, having slid over the edge of the gully and out of sight. For the moment I was too agitated to speak.

Oliver threw himself on his chest and crawled to the edge of the gully, and, seeing this, I followed his example.

"Do you see anything?" I asked presently, as I strained my eyes in several directions. "I can't see a thing."

"No, I don't. He must have gone clear to the bottom!" muttered Oliver soberly.

"What had we best do?"

"I'm sure I don't know."

"Do you think he is—is dead?" I could scarcely utter the words.

"There is no telling, Mark." Oliver thought for a moment. "Am I mistaken, or did I notice a rope in the bottom of the carriage?"

"There was a rope there," I answered. "I'll go back for it."

"No, don't you bother; you are too exhausted," answered Oliver, and away he went, leaving me at the edge of the gully.