Riddle no. 1 · the bridge and the lantern

The Last Candle

Four friends stayed too long at the far meadow. Home is across Hollow Canyon, over a rope bridge that is older than Gus. Their lantern holds one last stub of candle: 17 minutes of wax. Can you get all four home before it goes out?

2Two at a time.The bridge holds two friends, never three.
✦Always the lantern.The planks have gaps. Nobody steps on without the light, so someone has to bring it back.
~The slowest sets the pace.A pair walks together, at the slower friend's speed.
17Seventeen minutes.When the wax runs out, so does the light.

Trip ledger