They had sunk up to their waists in the quicksand. Janet screamed for help, but there was no one within earshot.
Dave commanded, “Stop screaming and throw me your daypack!” She did. He reached inside and pulled out a length of rope. Fashioning a loop, he tossed it toward a boulder near the edge of the pool, nailing it. Tossing the other end of the rope to Janet, they pulled themselves out.
Safe again on dry ground, she asked, “How did you know to bring a rope?”
“I used to be a Boy Scout. ‘Be Prepared’ isn’t just a motto.”
