rly, "for there is
apparently no other passage. Doubtless it leads straight to the top of
the cliff."

"Ay," with more of indifference than I had expected, "and it will be no
easy trick in the night."

"The night?"

"Surely, yes; when else could we expect to compass the path? Is it not
plain, friend, that before we rose fifty feet we should be in full view
of every eye in the valley with the sun bright upon us? I tell you we
must foot yonder rocks amid the night shadows, or else it will be safer
to lie hidden here."

I perceived the truth of his words and I confess to a sinking of the
heart, as I contemplated the work before us. I was never an adept in
clambering, it addles my head; and, bad as it appeared by day, surely
doubly bad would it prove by night. Yet there was little help for it,
and I made shift to win back my oozing courage by more cheerful speech.
"Odds, but that is no such trip as I would seek after, yet needs must
if the devil drives," I said. "So, now, brother Cairnes, if you wilt
consent to divide your store of food, we shall both front our night's
work with stronger bodies."

"Saints' rest! and if we go over the edge," he replied, cheerfully
emptying his bulging pockets on the rock, "it will be a comfort to bear
loaded stomachs with us. It was ever against my pleasure to die half
filled."

We lingered as long as possible over our meal, conversing in such a way
as to encourage each other and indulging in frequent draughts from the
clear stream. Nothing occurred to disturb us, and, finally, both
yielded to the soothing influence of the drowsy evening, and, resting
back upon the rocks, dropped asleep. I know not the hour of my
awakening, yet it greatly heartened me to be greeted by the sight of a
nearly full moon, and to observe how the clear silvery light flooded
the rocks, revealing the winding path leading upward. To arouse
Cairnes was no easy task, but at last we advanced on our path. The
huge rocks overhead appeared to arch us in, while, with utmost caution,
we crept along the narrow, irregular ledge, which at times was level,
and anon rose abruptly like the steps of a stair; occasionally it wound
about projecting rocks and over vast, unknown depths, until my brain
whirled, while I hugged the smooth rock wall at my right, and felt
cautiously forward for solid foothold.

I imagine we had progressed thus for upwards of three or four hundred
yards, and were elevated so far above the