613 THE FEATIIERED TRIBES. 



" The last we shall relate terniiuated in a more awful luanner. A father and two 

 sons were out together, and, having firmly attached their rope at the summit of a 

 precipice, descended, on their usual occupation. Having collected as many birds and 

 eggs as they could carry, they were all three ascending by the rope, — the eldest of the 

 sons first, — his brother, a fathom or two below him, — and the father following last. 

 They had made considerable progress, when the elder son, looking upwards, perceived 

 the strands of the rope griiiding against a sharp edge of rock, and graduallj' giving way. 

 He immediately reported the alarming fact. ' AYill it hold together till we can gain the 

 summit!''' asked the father. 'It will not hold another minute,' was the replj' ; 'our 

 triple weight is loosening it rapidlj' !' ' AYill it hold one ?' said the father. ' It is as 

 much as it can do,' replied the son ; ' even that is but doubtful.' ' There is then a 

 chance, at least, of one of us being saved ; draw your knife, and cut away below !' was 

 the cool and intrepid order of the parent ; ' Exert yourself, — j'ou may yet escape, and 

 live to comfort your mother !' There was no time for discussion or further hesitation. 

 The son looked up once more, but the edge of rock was cutting its way, and the rope 

 had nearly severed. The knife was drawn, — the rope was divided, — and liis father and 

 brother were launched into eternity ! " 



