184 FKAGMENTS OF SCIENCE. 



tempting to describe all this/ He rightly thought it 

 indescribable. The name of this gallant fellow was 

 Thomas Conroy. 



We returned, clambering at intervals up and down, 

 so as to catch glimpses of the most impressive portions 

 of the cataract. We passed under ledges formed by 

 tabular masses of limestone, and through some curious 

 openings formed by the falling together of the sum- 

 mits of the rocks. At length we found ourselves be- 

 side our enemy of the morning. Conroy halted for a 

 minute or two, scanning the torrent thoughtfully. I 

 said that, as a guide, he ought to have a rope in such a 

 place; but he retorted that, as no traveller had ever 

 thought of coming there, he did not see the necessity 

 of keeping a rope. He waded in. The struggle to keep 

 himself erect was evident enough; he swayed, but re- 

 covered himself again and again. At length he slipped, 

 gave way, did as I had done, threw himself towards 

 the bank, and was swept into the shallows. Standing 

 in the stream near its edge, he stretched his arm to- 

 wards me. I retained the pitchfork handle, for it had 

 been useful among the boulders. By wading some 

 way in, the staff could be made to reach him, and I 

 proposed his. seizing it. * If you are sure,' he replied, 

 ' that, in case of giving way, you can maintain your 

 grasp, then I will certainly hold you.' Eemarking that 

 he might count on this, I waded in, and stretched the 

 staff to my companion. It was firmly grasped by both 

 of us. Thus helped, though its onset was strong, I 

 moved safely across the torrent. All danger ended 

 here. We afterwards roamed sociably among the tor- 

 rents and boulders below the Cave of the Winds. The 

 rocks were covered with organic slime, which could 

 not have been walked over with bare feet, but the felt 

 shoes effectually prevented slipping. We reached the 



