Page:Off For Hawaii.djvu/66

54 considered a triumph of engineering. Soon the reins were fast, and we let the sapling down until Oliver yelled to us to stop.

"Dan is coming first," he said. "Be careful how you haul him up."

"We'll do our best," I answered. It took Dan several minutes to prepare himself for the ascent. By Oliver's advice the rope was placed around his back and under his arms.

"Now then, haul away!" came the command, and we did so, slowly and gently, until the unfortunate appeared, when I caught him and pulled him to a place of safety. Then the rope was lowered a second time and Oliver came up.

"I don't think I'll try for yonder mountain top a second time," murmured Dan, while he rested. "I never took such a tumble before in my life. If I hadn't kept close to the gully's side and got my clothing caught here and there, I would have been killed."

"This no way to reach top of dat Pali," said the Kanaka. "Good place to go over down dere," and he pointed with his short, fat hand. "I show you."

"Thanks, but I have had enough of the Pali," answered Dan, with an attempt at a smile. "Oliver can go up if he wants to, and so can Mark. I'll take it easy under the trees," and he threw himself down in an inviting spot.