f rope when day broke.

We then began to secure the straps together. To do this we had to make
holes in the ends with the prickers of our knives, through which to pass
the threads--a long and tedious operation, as, of course, it was of
vital importance that they should be firmly secured: a weak part might
endanger our safety. As may be supposed, we worked very diligently, for
we were getting hungry, and had no chance of obtaining food where we
were. How long it might be after we reached the shore before we could
fall in with game of some sort it was impossible to say.

Our spears had been lost, so that even should we see any fish in the
rapids we could not catch them.

At last the rope was completed. It was sufficiently long, we
calculated, to reach from one side to the other of the broadest passage
we should have to cross, as there were several rocks which would serve
as resting-places between us and the left or northern bank.

Before using it, by Alick's advice we tried every part, hauling with all
our might, two against two. It was fortunate it did not give way, for
had it done so we all four might have fallen into the river on opposite
sides of the rock.

"Come, that will do," said Alick; "I'll go first, and you three hold on
to the other end. If I miss my footing, haul me in; but if I succeed,
you, David, remain behind, and let either Martin or Robin make their way
across, holding on to the rope. When they are safe over, you fasten it
round your waist, and we'll haul you after us."

The plan seemed a good one, with every prospect of success. The water
was apparently of no great depth, and did not run with nearly as much
force on the north side of the rapids as it did on the south, towards
which by a bend of the river the principal current was directed; still,
as we looked at the foaming, hissing, roaring waters below us, we saw
the fearful danger to which we should be exposed should we miss our
footing and be carried away in them. Indeed, without a rope, the
passage seemed to be altogether impossible.

Alick, of course, ran the chief danger, as he had nothing to support
him, and had, besides, the rope to drag and his rifle to carry. We
scrambled over to the west side of the rock, or that which looked up the
stream; then Alick fastened the rope round his waist, and offering up a
short prayer for protection, he stepped carefully into the foaming
water. At first it did not reach much above his ankles