“I don’t expect you to, all by yourself, Just,” Huge told him.  “Poke the end of it down here, and keep a good stiff grip on the butt.  Then we’ll hold on, and find places to set our feet.  Inch by inch, and foot by foot, we’ll manage to climb up.  You can help a little by keeping the stick coming, you know.”

“I get you, Hugh!” snapped the other eagerly; “and it’s sure a right good scheme.  But be mighty careful you don’t slip, either of you.  That fall’d break bones, even if it didn’t kill you outright.”

“Don’t worry about us, Just Smith; pay attention to your part of the contract, and things are bound to work out first-class.  Lower away, and don’t poke us off our perch, please.  We’ve only got a risky hold below here.”

So saying, Hugh encouraged the other two to do their part manfully.  Even Claude was shivering less than before, as though a breath of renewed confidence might have been installed in his heart by this close contact with such a stalwart chap as Hugh Morgan.  It was going to be the turning point in Claude’s career, of that Hugh felt positive.  After this thrilling experience he was bound to awaken to the fact that he was not like other boys of his age; and demand of his mother that she permit him to participate in the life-giving outdoor sports that are a part and parcel of boy nature.

They began to climb.  It was slow work, but Hugh would not be hurried.  Better that they waste time in gaining each foot than by an unwise step ruin all.  What matter if that arm of his was almost numb with pain, and he had to press his teeth firmly together in order to continue to hold up Claude?  If only the other had been a normal boy he could have helped himself wonderfully; but, as it was, he seemed as weak and helpless as a kitten that had never opened its eyes as yet.

Well, half of the distance separating them from the top had been safely navigated, and so far no accident had occurred.  Hugh kept encouraging his charge from time to time; and then speaking words also to the laboring, anxious boy above, directing him just how to proceed.

Finally they reached the top.  Hugh still ordered “Just” Smith to hold the pole as he had been doing.  Then he managed to push Claude up so that he could crawl over the edge, which the other did in a speedy manner, bordering on the ludicrous.

Then, to the surprise, as well as delight of Hugh, what did Claude do but turn and stretch out a helping hand, as though his first thought was to assist his rescuer to top the rise; indeed, Hugh’s one arm was so utterly gone that he could hardly count on it for a single thing.  Hugh would not be apt to forget this action on the part of the “sissy”; it proved what he had all along more than half suspected, that Claude really did have the making of a genuine boy in him, given half a chance for it to show itself, and the seed to germinate.  And Hugh determined that he would make it his particular business to see that there came a change in Claude’s dreary life.  His mother could hardly refuse anything asked by the one to whom she owed the life of her son.