A section weighing tons let go with a roar only a few yards
below, and Bat and the girl worked as neither had ever worked before to
tow their burden upstream to the sloping bank. But the force of the
current and the conformation of the bank, which slanted outward at an
angle that diminished the force of the pull by half, rendered their
efforts in vain.
"You stan' back!" ordered Bat sharply, as a section of earth gave way
almost beneath their feet, but the girl paid no attention, and the two
redoubled their efforts.
In the water, Endicott took in the situation at a glance. He realized
that the strain of the pull was more than the two could overcome.
Realized also that each moment added to the Jeopardy of the half-breed
and the girl. There was one chance--and only one. Relieved of his
weight, the unresisting form of the Texan could be dragged to
safety--and he would take that chance.
"_Non_! _Non_!" The words were fairly hurled from the half-breed's
lips, as he seemed to divine what was passing in Endicott's mind. But
Endicott gave no heed. Deliberately he let go the rope and the next
moment was whirled from sight, straight toward the seething vortex of
the canyon, where the moonlight revealed dimly in the distance only a
wild rush of lashing waters and the thrashing limbs of uprooted trees.
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