wished to get either to the top or the
bottom of the wall as soon as possible, but he did not dare make the effort
in his feeble condition and without the aid of daylight.

"I must remain here until dawn," he concluded. "I can do nothing until I
can see my way."

To prevent himself from falling should he grow faint or doze off, he tied
himself to the limbs of the tree with several bits of cord he happened to
have in his pocket.

Hour after hour went by, and he sat there, alternately nursing his wounds
and clutching his aching head, and wondering why the two men had treated
him so cruelly. Never once did he suspect that they were the hirelings of
Squire Paget.

"They did not rob me," he said to himself, after he had searched his
pockets and found his money and other valuables safe. "And yet I am
positive that it was not an accident."

At last the morning dawned. With the first rays of light Ralph looked
about for some manner of releasing himself from his perilous position.

To climb up to the top of the cliff was impossible. There was nothing but
the bare rocks to clutch, and they would afford no hold worth considering.

Therefore, he must go down; but such a course was nearly as hazardous.

With great care he lowered himself to the cleft from which the tree that
had saved his life sprung. Having gained this, he scrambled down along a
fringe of brush. Then it was necessary to drop a distance of ten feet, and
crawl on hands and knees around a sharp corner to where a slope of dirt led
to the bottom. On the dirt he slipped, and he could not stop himself until
he had rolled into a clump of bushes directly at the base of the cliff.

[Illustration: "It was necessary to drop a distance of ten feet." See page
168.]

Still more bruised, he picked himself up with a thankful feeling. At last
he was free from the danger which had hung over him so grimly. He breathed
a long sigh of relief.

Water was at his feet and his first task was to bathe his face and hands.
Then he bound his handkerchief over his bruised temple. He looked about for
his cap, and was not long in finding it.

"I suppose those fellows have left the island, and if so they have
doubtless taken the sloop," he thought, dismally. "I'll make certain,
though, and be on my guard while I am doing it."

He walked slowly and painfully to the cove where the boat had been left,
but, as we already know, it was gone.

"They have taken themselves off and left me b