The Argo Goes West

81, Escape from Giant Eagle's Nest, part 7

A sunflower-like wind pump, consisting of a windmill and a framed wooden tower, was swinging like a pendulum on the branches of a redwood tree.

The shaking eventually subsided and stopped. It wasn't the big shock they expected. A train carriage resting on an adjacent tree branch was also unharmed.

Mr. Miller sighed in relief and wiped the sweat from his forehead with his shirt sleeve.

"We managed to make this vertical," he told Dorothy. "It's just the right height. It's right above the vine, as you expected."

Two women who were waiting on a tree branch moved into the passenger car. It took a long time because Mrs. Miller was fat and slow.

"Hurry up!" cried Mr. Gillespie, annoyed.

But Mrs. Gillespie said to her, "You don't have to rush, Faye. Let's go slowly and calmly." 

"Thank you, Sylvia." The two women became close enough to call each other by their first names while waiting.

When the ladies joined, Mr. Miller said again.

"We are going to climb down this wind pump, but it is not stable yet. It may shake. To prevent this from happening, someone needs to go down first and support the bottom of the wind pump. We need one on each side, so I and Mr. Gillespie will do it. "

"Wait," said Mr. Gillespie with a blatant annoyance. "Why me?"

"This job is suitable for men."

There was another man among them. Mr Tate.But he was old and seemed weak.

Still, Mr. Gillespie refused. Here's why. "I have a wife."

"Me too," replied Mr. Miller.

"So what? I don't know anything about you guys. My wife relies on me. I have to protect her." said Mr. Gillespie proudly.

But his wife said, "Don't worry about me."

"What do you say?"

"If you hold the wind pump, we can all get off safely. So please."

"Okay, Honey."

Mr. Gillespie, persuaded by his wife, accepted Mr. Miller's proposal.

Mr. Gillespie quickly climbed down the wind bump. On the other hand, Mr. Millerwas cautious. He tried to be a role model for those who followed him down. Mr. Tate, Mrs. Gillespie, Mrs. Miller, and Dorothy learned how to climb down by watching Mr. Miller move.

Mr. Miller and Mr. Gillespie stood on thick, sturdy vines, split left and right to support the base of the wind pump.

"Come down," said Mr. Miller.

Dorothy and the others looked at each other to decide their turn.

"May I be the first?" said Mrs. Miller.

"All right, Faye," said Mrs. Gillespie. "I'll go next to you. Feel free to call me if anything happens."

"Thank you, Sylvie."

Encouraged by a friend, Mrs. Miller cautiously got off the wind pump. Then, as she descended into the vine, she flew into her husband's arms.

Next to Mrs. Gillespie was Mr. Tate. He was holding a leather bag in his hands. It must contain something very important. He was going down with his bag under his arm. Dorothy thought it dangerous.

"Mr. Tate," Dorothy said to him. "Which is more important, your life or your bag?"

Mr. Tate thought for a moment before answering. "Both are important."

"What do you have in your bag?"

"It's a documents. important documents."

"Do you have any fragile items?"

"What?"

"Are there any fragile items in your bag?"

"There are no fragile items. All contents are documents."

Dorothy snatched a bag from Mr. Tate and threw it.

"What are you doing!"

Mr. Tate screamed in surprise.

"The bag fell to the ground. Don't worry. No one here will steal it. So feel free to get down to the vine."

Dorothy smiled at him.