The big Turk screamed pitifully at first, and then actually fainted
away from fright. Rob was much frightened, on his part, for he knew
if his hands slipped from their hold he would fall to his death.
Indeed, one hand was slipping already, so he made a frantic clutch and
caught firmly hold of the Turk's baggy trousers. Then, slowly and
carefully, he drew himself up and seized the leather belt that
encircled the man's waist. This firm grip gave him new confidence,
and he began to breathe more freely.
He now clung to the body of the Turk with both legs entwined, in the
way he was accustomed to cling to a tree-trunk when he climbed after
cherries at home. He had conquered his fear of falling, and took time
to recover his wits and his strength.
They had now reached such a tremendous height that the city looked
like a speck on the desert beneath them. Knowing he must act quickly,
Rob seized the dangling left arm of the unconscious Turk and raised it
until he could reach the dial of the traveling machine. He feared to
unclasp the machine just then, for two reasons: if it slipped from his
grasp they would both plunge downward to their death; and he was not
sure the machine would work at all if in any other position than
fastened to the left wrist.
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