and prudently seizing the end along with
him.

The kite, thus released, like some huge bird that had received its
death-wound, turned head downwards towards the earth; and, after making
various sinuous evolutions through the air, flouting its long tail first
in one direction then in another--it was seen darting down towards the
acclivity of the mountain. At length, passing behind the summit of the
cliffs, it was no longer visible to the eyes of those who had aided it
in its lofty flight, and then left it helplessly to fall.

So far they had succeeded to the utmost of their expectations. The kite
had alighted, just where they wanted it.

But now arose the question--would it stay there? In other words, would
it be caught among the rocks, and hold fast?

If not, they would have to fly it again and again, until it should get
fastened above, or until the experiment should prove a failure.

Karl stepped forward to decide the point--the others looking on with an
eagerness of glance, that betrayed how deep was their interest in the
result.

Karl's hand trembled as he laid hold of the cord. At first he pulled
upon it in a gentle way--hand over hand--so as merely to take in the
slack.

At length it began to tighten, requiring greater strength to take it in:
as if the kite was still free, and dragging over the snow.

This produced anything but a pleasant anticipation; and as the rope came
to hand, foot after foot, and yard after yard, a shadow, that had stolen
over the countenances of all three, became sensibly darker.

Only for a short while did this shadow remain. It vanished, more
suddenly than it had arisen: when they saw the running cord become
abruptly checked, and then tighten as Karl continued to draw it in. He
pulled upon it, at first exerting only a part of his strength, as if
afraid that it might again come loose. After awhile, gaining
confidence, he pulled with all his power. It still held fast!

Ossaroo and Caspar now joined their strength to his; and all three
pulled together.

Hurrah! the kite would not come! The cord kept its place, stretching to
the bottom of the cliff, as taut as the main-stay of a ship!

Ejaculations of joy escaped from all three at the same instant of time:
and for some moments they stood, tightly clutching the rope, and holding
it firmly: as if in dread of its being dragged out of their grasp by
some hostile and invisible hand.

At length Karl suggested the propriety o