Suddenly I saw ahead of us an opening which I thought I
recognized. I pointed it out to Harry.
"The exit!" he cried out, and made for it with Desiree. But they
were brought to a halt by a cliff at their very feet, no less
than twenty feet high.
I started to join them, but hearing a clatter behind, turned just
in time to see a score of Incas rush at us from the left, through
a narrow lane that led to the edge of the cliff.
I sprang toward them, calling to Harry for assistance. He was at
my side in an instant, and together we held them back.
In five minutes the mouth of the lane was choked with their
bodies; some behind attempted to scramble over the pile to get at
us, but we made them sick of their job. I saw that Harry could
hold it alone then, and calling to him to stand firm till I
called, I ran to Desiree.
I let myself over the edge of the cliff and hung by my hands,
then dropped to the ground below. It was even further than I had
thought; my legs doubled up under me and I toppled over, half
fainting.
I gritted my teeth and struggled to my feet, calling to Desiree.
She was already hanging to the edge of the cliff, many feet above
me.
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