No report came. It requires some little time for a rock to fall a mile,
and when it does land it is doubtful if those at the other end of the
mile would hear the report.

The faces of the Pony Riders actually paled. This was indeed the next
thing to a bottomless pit. Walter Perkins recalled afterwards that his
head had spun dizzily, Ned that he was too frightened to move a muscle.

Suddenly the silence was broken by a shout that was really an agonized
yell. The voice was Stacy Brown's.

"Hold me! Somebody hold me!" he screamed

The others glanced at him with disapproving eyes. Could nothing impress
Chunky? The fat boy had begun to move forward toward the edge, both
hands extended in front of him as to ward off something.

"Hold me! I'm going to jump! Oh, won't somebody hold me?"

Even then only one in that little party appeared to understand. They
were paralyzed with amazement and unable to move a muscle. The one who
did see and understand was Tad Butler. Chunky was giving way to an
irresistible impulse. He was at that instant being drawn toward the
terrible abyss.




CHAPTER VII