ry of this
miserable existence has reduced both of us. Indeed, dear brother, I can
see that you are much thinner since we set out from Calcutta; and no
doubt you can perceive the like change in me. Is it not so?"

Karl was forced to give an affirmative reply to the question, at the
same time that he acknowledged the truth of his brother's statement.
His data were not correct. The weight of his body--which, not being a
constant quantity, is at all times an unsafe standard--would not serve
in the present instance. The calculation they desired to make was of
too important a character to be based upon such an untrustworthy
foundation. Karl perceived this plainly enough; but it did not
discourage him from prosecuting his purpose to make the attempt he had
proposed.

"Well, brother!" said he, looking smilingly towards the latter, and
apparently rather pleased at Caspar's acuteness; "I acknowledge you have
had the better of the argument this time; but that's no reason why I
should give up my plan. There are many other ways of ascertaining the
weight of an object; and no doubt if I were to reflect a little I could
hit upon one; but as luck has it, we need not trouble ourselves further
about that matter. If I mistake not, we have a standard of weight in
our possession, that is just the thing itself."

"What standard?" demanded Caspar.

"One of the leaden bullets of your own gun. They are ounce bullets,
I've heard you say?"

"They are exactly sixteen to the pound, and therefore each of them an
ounce. You are right, Karl, that is a standard. Certainly it will do."

The subject required no further sifting; and without delay they
proceeded to ascertain the weight of two hundred yards of rope. A
balance was soon constructed and adjusted, as nicely as if they had
meant to put gold in the scale. Twenty yards of the rope already in
hand was set against stones--whose weight they had already determined by
reduplicating a number of bullets--and its quantity ascertained in
pounds and ounces. Eight times that gave one hundred and sixty yards--
the probable amount of cord they should require.

This being determined upon, the next thing was to find out whether the
eagle could carry such a burden into the sky. Of course, the bird would
not have the whole of it to carry at first, as part would rest upon the
ground; but should it succeed in reaching the top of the cliff--even at
the lowest part--there would then be the weigh