90 Cliff Climbing 
1 in. in girth and weighs less than } Ib. It can be carried in the 
pocket and occupies little more space than does a bandana hand- 
kerchief. As regards strength, | have now and again made it fast 
to a bough and two men weighing over 20 stone between them 
have sat in the bight, swing-fashion. Both when working out 
along the slippery branch of some lofty tree or when sidling along 
some narrow ledge on a precipice have | used it on countless 
occasions as a life-line. 
Since I have taken to photography it has often given me the 
only means of securing myself when endeavouring to work the 
camera with effect in some dangerous situation. Its lightness and 
compactness have also frequently made me carry it when no climbing 
was imminent and it has in turn performed an endless succession 
of duties, of which slinging Great Bustard across a saddle, picketing 
a horse and towing a duck-punt are but a few chance examples. 
One winter I made a pioneer skating trip for over 20 miles along 
the Hythe canal whilst the ice was yet thin and reputed to be 
unsafe. Luckily I accomplished my task without going through 
but the rope in my pocket gave me no little confidence. From 
time to time allusion will be made to this famous rope in describing 
various birdsnesting adventures where it has stood me in good stead. 
