human
Hoist away, intending to be hoisting himself up to the door of the warehouse where I was presiding. Now, there was nothing unusual in this whim of old Tom's, but still he ran a very narrow chance, in consequence of an extra whim of young Tom's, who, as soon as his father was suspended in the air, caught hold of his two wooden stumps, to be hoisted up also; and as he caught hold of them, standing on tiptoe, they both swung clear of the lighter, which could not approach to within five feet of the buildings. The crane was on the third story of the warehouse, and very high up.
gpt
Tom, Tom, you rascal, what the devil are you about?
human
Going up along with you, father--hope we shall go to heaven the same way.
gpt
More likely to go to the devil together, you little fool; I never can bear your weight. Hoist away, there, quick.
human
O Tom, Tom, what must be done? I can't--I can't hold on but a little longer, and we shall be both dashed to pieces. My poor boy?
gpt
Well, then, I'll let go, father; it was all my folly, and I'll be the sufferer.
human
Let go! cried old Tom;
gpt
Well, father, how much longer can you hold on?
human
A little--very little longer, replied the old man, struggling.
gpt
Well, hold fast now, cried young Tom, who, raising his head above his arms, with great exertion shifted one of his hands to his father's thigh, then the other; raising himself as before, he then caught at the seat of his father's trousers with his teeth; old Tom groaned, for his son had taken hold of more than the garments; he then shifted his hands round his father's body--from thence he gained the collar of his jacket--from the collar he climbed on his father's shoulders, from thence he seized hold of the fall above, and relieved his father of the weight.
human
Now, father, are you all right?
gpt
I can't hold on ten seconds more, Tom--no longer--my clutch is going now.
human
Hang on by your eyelids, father, if you love me,
gpt
It might have been no laughing matter, Mr Tom,
human
What's done can't be helped, father, as Jacob says. After all, you're more frightened than hurt.
gpt
I don't know that, you young scamp, replied the old man, putting his hand behind him, and rubbing softly;