The Rock Jockeys by Gary Paulsen

Author:Gary Paulsen [Paulsen, Gary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-307-80396-2
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2011-08-31T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 8

Rick and J.D. dropped their gear and ran to the spot where Spud had vanished. A deep hole was in the middle of the path. Leaves and branches had covered the opening and Spud had stepped right into it.

“Spud!” Rick called. “Are you okay?”

They heard a low moan down in the hole. J.D. ran back to his pack for his headlamp and pointed it down into the pit. “I see him. Looks like he’s almost at the bottom.”

“Spud, can you hear us?” Rick called again.

“I hear you.”

“Good. Hang on, I’m going to throw you a rope.”

Another moan came from the hole. “I think I busted my arm, Rick. It hurts bad.”

J.D. yelled down the hole, “Try not to move, we’ll come down after you.” He took off his climbing rope and unwound it.

Rick grabbed the end and tied it around himself. “Use that tree to help lower me. When I get down there, I’ll put the rope on Spud.”

J.D. didn’t argue. He handed Rick his headlamp and moved around the tree to wait for Rick’s signal.

“Lower when ready.”

J.D. let the rope out slowly.

“Give me some slack. I’m almost there, but it’s getting real tight in here. There’s not much room to work.”

Rick pressed his back and feet against both sides of the narrow hole and slipped the rope up over his head. Then he lowered it to Spud. “I’m as close as I can get. Put your head and arms through the loop and J.D. will pull you up to me.”

Rick heard Spud groan in agony as he lifted his broken arm through the rope. “I’m in. Pull when ready.”

J.D. pulled. Nothing happened. Spud was wedged in tight. “It’s no use,” Spud yelled up. “I’m stuck.”

“Tie off and lower a pick down here,” Rick shouted to J.D. “I’m going to try to dig him out.”

J.D. made sure the rope was tight and went to his pack for a climbing pick. He lowered it using a ball of twine. “Heads up down there. Here it comes.”

“This is going to be tricky, Spud.” Rick edged his way around until he was upside down. Still using his back and feet to keep from falling, he inched farther down the hole.

When he got closer he could see that Spud was in a tight little ball. His knees were under his chin and his left arm hung limply to the side. Carefully, Rick started digging around his friend until Spud’s legs could move a little.

Rick cupped his hand. “Try it again, J.D.”

J.D. pulled and this time Spud moved up a few inches.

“Hold on,” Rick yelled. “Let me get out of his way.”

Rick worked his way up a few feet and tried to get as far to one side as he could. “Okay, J.D.… pull!”

In a few seconds, Spud was beside Rick. His face was pale and he was obviously in pain. Rick helped push him up. J.D. kept pulling until he dragged Spud out over the edge.

J.D. quickly slipped the rope over Spud’s shoulders. “You all right?”

“I’ve been better.

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