196 Maxey 



as rapidly as possible down the sides of the cliff, to 

 where, nearly forty feet below him, the little animal 

 had lodged and now lay motionless. Herbert reached 

 the spot and found the faithful little creature uncon- 

 scious. At first he feared it was dead ; but the large 

 brown eyes opened slowly, and at once recognized 

 their friend and master. Herbert made an effort to 

 raise him, but found one of his feet had caught in a 

 crevice, and was immovable. It was this that had 

 checked the fall and prevented Maxey from going 

 headlong into the canon below. 



Herbert worked his way back to the spot where 

 he had left his pick. He soon returned with it and 

 began prying at the rock to loosen Maxey's foot ; 

 but alas! it seemed immovable. But what was that 

 substance at the side, which yielded so quickly ? 

 Herbert's eyes had been too long looking for it not 

 to recognize at once that it was a large vein of 

 mineral. A great thrill of joy came into his heart ; 

 but it instantly vanished at the sight of the poor suf- 

 fering creature before him. Gently, and as quickly 

 as possible, Herbert released the imprisoned foot, 

 found that it was wrenched but not broken, and, 



