“Only a few inches. I know the depth of the pit when it is dry, and I can see there isn’t much difference in it. You had better go down, but I will if you are afraid. I don’t think you are strong enough to help me up again, are you?”
“I don’t know,” replied Cox, looking very doubtfully at the water.
“Don’t be in such a funk,” exclaimed King, “or I shall tie the rope round one of these posts and let myself down.”
“I am not in a funk,” said Cox. “I will go down when we get these pieces tied together. This rope is a bit rotten, isn’t it?”
“No, it’s all right. It has borne my weight, and so I am sure it will yours.”
Cox did not seem at all in a hurry to commence the descent, which was perhaps some thirty or forty feet.
“There goes young sneak,” he exclaimed, as he saw Alfred running across the other side of the field. “Stop him.”
As soon as Alfred heard this, he ran as fast as he could, but King soon overtook him.
“Herbert,” called out Cox, “let’s make him go down and fetch your cap. He’s fond of sneaking, so that will give him something to talk about.”
“All right, Harry,” replied King, “a jolly fine idea that! Now, little sneak, you are going down that pit to fetch up my cap, do you hear?”
“Do you mean to say you don’t intend to go down there?”
“Supposing I say I will make you, what then?”
“If you won’t go after his cap, perhaps you will after your own,” exclaimed Cox, taking Alfred’s cap and throwing it down the pit.
King laughed. Alfred remained still, without attempting to move. King shook him roughly.
“Now, look here,” he said. “You are going down to fetch those caps quietly, or we shall tie this rope round you and drop you down, whether you like it or not.”
“I tell you I sha’n’t go,” replied Alfred, “and if you don’t leave me alone, I’ll kick you.”
“Then clear off, little sneak,” exclaimed King angrily, and shaking him violently. “Come, Harry, and get my cap, and leave his there until called for.”
Cox would have liked to refuse, as Alfred had done, only he feared the jeers of his chum. So he allowed himself to be bound with the cord, while the other end was secured to a post. King intended to lower him gradually. Alfred remained where he was, simply looking on.
“Harry,” said King, “you must steady yourself against the side as you go down, and when you climb up again, dig your feet well into the loose earth.”