The shadows were lengthening a little now, and a chilly breeze stirred the tree tops as a reminder that summer was still some months ahead. Far over the other side of the Dingle, past the patch of trees by the ruined cottages where the track began to climb up to the entrance of the mine, Tom could now see the tiny figures of the rescue party.

"You can't see the track till it comes out of the wood by the miners' cottages," Peter explained. "That's why we didn't see them at first. They must have come up the valley while we were exploring downstairs... Look! David's brought Sally, and I think that's Jenny, and there are some men, too... Oh, Tom! I do feel a pig. I promised to be there, and now David will be worrying 'bout me, too. What shall we do?"

Tom looked back slowly at the cable car. When he turned to her again his eyes were bright with excitement.

"Are you game, Peter? Shall we chance it? I'll go on my own if you like. I reckon I could work the thing. I believe the car runs back on its own from here when it's empty, 'cos we're higher than the mine on the other side, and then the engine pulls it back when it's full by winding up the wire on the drum. All we have to do is to let off the brake and then tighten it again when we get to the other end... Shall we risk it, Peter? We'll be there before them if we start now."

Peter looked at him in admiration. This was a Tom she had not met before, but perhaps this was because when they were all together he had generally been ready to let David take the lead.

He grinned. "It'll be like the pictures. Come on, Peter. Let's go."

"What about your bike?" Peter suggested with a thumping heart and rather a shaky voice.

"I'll come back for that one day. It's no use with a flat tyre, anyway. Come on. Put Mackie in first and then you hop in. I'm going to stand on the step here and hold on to these handle things."

So, protesting and unhappy, Macbeth was dropped into the big bucket, and then Tom hoisted Peter up until she could get a leg over the edge.

"Right away, guard!" he called, and reached up to the little handle on the pulley block. The car swayed, but did not move, so, holding on with both hands, he put out one foot and pushed.