She could not be afraid.
"It would matter," she said at last.
"I wonder why?" said Bill Warden.
"Because--we are friends," she said.
He made a sharp sound as of dissent, but he did not openly contradict
her. They were nearing the opening, and the ground was rough and broken.
She stumbled once or twice, and each time he held her up. Finally they
came to a flight of steps that were little more than notches cut steeply
in the rock.
"I shall have to carry you here," he said.
Dot looked upwards with sharp dismay. The rocky wall rose twenty feet
above her, the rough-hewn steps slanting along its face. For the first
time her heart misgave her.
"What a dreadful place!" she said.
"It's the only way out," said Warden, "unless we tramp underground nearly
half-way to Wallacetown!"
"Can't we go back?" she said, nervously.
"What! Afraid?" He gave her hand a sudden squeeze.
She looked at him and caught the blue fire of his eyes as he bent towards
her. Something moved her, she knew not what. She surrendered herself to
him without a word.
Once more she hung upon his shoulder, clinging desperately, while he made
that perilous ascent. He went up with amazing agility, as if he were
entirely unencumbered. She felt the strength of his great frame beneath
her, and marvelled. Again the magnetic force of the man possessed her,
stilling all fear. She shut her eyes dizzily, but she was not afraid.
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