The Obstacle Race

g forth in the twilight after supper with Columbus, the exquisite fragrance was almost intoxicatin

mmensely and mysteriously calm. She went on and on, scarcely feeling the ground beneath her feet,

ly there was magic all around her! That bird-voice in the silence thrilled her through and through. She stood spell-bound, waiting for the enchanted music to fill her soul. There followed a few liquid notes, and then there came a far-off, flute-like call, gradually swelling, gradually drawing nearer,

search of her, and quite suddenly, like the closing o

ss murmured reproachfully.

ore of common sense than poetry in his composition. The passion for exploring which had earned him his nam

immering sea. For some reason she felt divinely happy, as if she had drunk of th

cted. But in this she was wrong, for presently, as she sauntered along, she became aware of a faint scent other than the wonder

mbus hurried along ahead of her as if he had made up his mind to reach the top at all costs. But Juliet had no intention of mounting to the summit of the frowning cliff that night.

he fairy romance of the night at a blow. She turned sharply, and immediately, like a fiendish

er the cliff overhung the shore which at that point was nearly two hundred feet below. From where she stood, no way of escape presented itself, and she turned in despair to follow the path a little farther. But as she did so, she heard another wild shout from behind her, and it flashed upon her with a stab of dismay that her light dress had betrayed her. She had been sighted by the intruders, and they were pursuing her. She heard the stamp and scuffle of running feet that

ng them. There were five of them, hulking youths all inflamed by drink if not actually tipsy, and they came

ot yielding an inch, contempt in every line. "Will you

of his companions, came close to her and leered into her face of rigid disdain. "I

nness of a wild thing trapped. She wren

e cry. The ground had given way beneath her feet, and she fell straight backwards over that awful edge. For the fraction o

t happened she had not the faintest notion-she was aware of someone lifting her out of the depth that had received her, and there came again to her nostrils that subtle aroma of cigarette-smoke

ur eyes, if you don't mind! You're rea

ntreaty and common sense it contained strangely stirred

she sai

face, and the first thing that struck her was the extr

needn't be afraid. I was just in time to catch you. There's an easier way down cl

. She sat up, still gasping a little, but shrank as she rea

ght. You're absolutely safe. Don't shiver like that! You cou

e, and again was struck by th

u get here?

way. I was just coming to help you when

g such a horrid noise."

hey gon

y scooted. I'm going

Not for the world! I don't want to be l

the words, but it was ra

d his inten

here, shall I help you up? Yo

inute," Juliet said. "I-I'm afraid I sh

t arm around her shoulders, gripping them hard to still

ly reassuring about that firm grip. She sat quite motionless for

hine from above aroused he

! Don't let h

im then! Don't look down! Keep your face to the clif

but, though she did not look down, she was seized immediately b

said, almost in tears. "I

g slowly with me! Keep your face to the cliff, and you'll come to some steps! That's the way! Yes, we've go

outh when she reached the projecting corner of cliff where the ledge narrowed to a

l, clinging desperately

ly do it," she

tning came the words. "Go on and don't be si

g fingers with the words

orce such as she had ne

ng among the bushes above. She also heard a watch ticking with amazing loudness close to her ear, and was aware of a very firm hand that grasped her shoulder, impelling her forward. There was no resisting that steady pressure. She c

seemed to her to be something electric in the very touch of his fingers. She

Can you see the steps? They're close here. They're a bit rou

less insistent. Nevertheless, the way was far from easy, the steps being little more than deep notches in

afety, she tried to hasten, and in a moment slipped. He grabbed her instantly, but she could not recover her footing though she made a frantic effort t

all right. You won't fall. Let go

she said.

short and sharp. "Left hand first! Put your arm round my neck, and then get

ainly seeking a foothold, desperately afraid to relinquish her hold and trust herself unreservedly to his single-handed strength. But, as he waited, it

er hand, ple

itself. Yet after a few seconds of torturing irresolution she obeyed him

with one arm. With the other hand, had she but known it, he was grasping only the naked rock.

r unending. She was conscious throughout that his endurance was being put to

ff. The scent of the gorse bushes came again to her and the far sweet call of the nightingale. And she realized that the danger was past and she was back once more in the magic region of her summer

mething that she did not fully understand made her turn and clasp him closely with a sudden rush of tears