He was nowhere in the neighborhood, and I called aloud.
"We--ll?" came a voice from far above.
"Where are you?"
"Hanging--to--the--scoop!" sang out the inventor.
And there, up near the roof, I located him, dangling from the
Crano-Scale coal-scuttle!
"What are you going to do next?" I asked, with some interest.
"I--I--I can't--can't hang on long here!"
"I should say not."
"Well, climb out and tell them to lower the crane!" screamed Hawkins.
I looked around. Right and left, before and behind, rose a mountain of
loose coal. I essayed to climb nimbly toward the door which the
Crano-Scale had used, and suddenly landed on my hands and knees.
"Are--you--out?" shrieked Hawkins. "I can't stick here!"
"And I can't get out!" I replied.
"Well, you--ouch!"
There was a dull, rattling whack beside me; bits of coal flew in all
directions. Hawkins had landed.
"Well!" he exclaimed, sitting up. "I honestly believe, Griggs, that no
man was ever born on this earth with less resourcefulness than
yourself!"
"Which means that I should have climbed out and informed the people of
your plight?"
"Certainly.
Pages:
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209