The American Spectator

The rope plopped onto Jared’s back. He did not move. “Jared, can you do it?” Newman called.

“I’m too scared,” his voice came up the cliff. “I’m too scared.”

“Don’t be scared. Just take a hold of the rope and slip it over your head. You’ll be safe.

“He’s not going to be able to do it,” he said, turning to the group. “Somebody’s going to have to go down to him.”

“Oh, me! Me! Me!” Almost a dozen hands shot up at once. He couldn’t help but marvel at the bravery of these young men.

“Darien, you’re the senior patrol leader,” he finally said to the older boy. “I think you’ve got to do it.”

“I’ll do it, Mr. Newman. Don’t worry. I’m not scared.”

Darien was quickly fit in the harness and backed off the cliff with a dozen boys and Newman holding on. “Keep your face to the wall,” Newman called over the edge. “Push off with your feet. Keep some distance between your body and the wall.”

Darien belayed down expertly as if he had already done it a dozen times.

“Now listen, be careful in approaching him,” shouted Newman. “A drowning man will sometimes grab on to you and pull you under. Don’t let him panic. Punch him if you have to.” Darien looked up questioningly. “I’m serious. This is very dangerous. Come at him from his feet so he can’t grab you.”

Newman edged the rope over so that Darien landed just at Jared’s feet. “Jared,” called Newman. “Listen, Darien is right next to you. Don’t try to grab him. Just lie still. He’s going to slip to loop over your body. Then we’re going to pull you up. Don’t panic.”

Darien edged over, approaching his fallen comrade. Gently he slipped the noose off his own body and moved it toward Jared. The prostrate boy did not move. Darien gently edged the loop over the outside arm, then the head, then the other arm. “Should I put it on backwards or try to swing the knot around to his stomach,” Darien called up.

“Try to put it on his stomach,” called Newman. “I’m afraid he’s going to slip right out if he doesn’t have something to hang on to.”

Darien tried to turn Jared on his side to slip the rope to his front when suddenly Jared grabbed on to him. “Get me up! Get me up!” he screamed.

“Pull right now, guys,” Newman hollered at the boys. “Don’t wait! Do it fast! Hard as you can!”