222 THE ADVENTURES 0V 



Then each of us tried to solve the problem, proposing ex- 

 pedients more or less impracticable. 



" I've found it out," cried I at last, with quite as much 

 satisfaction as Archimedes when he leaped out of his 

 bath. 



Seizing my machete, I cut two stakes of a good thickness, 

 which I drove into the ground close to one another, about 

 three yards from the precipice. While Sumichrast with a 

 club was consolidating my work, I cut a stick about a foot 

 long, to the middle of which I firmly tied the lasso. I then 

 placed it crosswise behind the stakes. I considered that 

 when we had let ourselves down to the spot occupied by 

 1'Encuerado, a sharp undulatory shake given to the lasso 

 would be sufficient to disengage the stick. When our prep- 

 arations were finished, we let down the basket to the man 

 who carried it. Then Sumichrast, who was the heaviest 

 among us, slid down the cord to the tree which grew in so 

 convenient a position. The stakes scarcely yielded at all to 

 his weight. Continuing his descent, my friend soon joined 

 the Indian. 



Lucien's impatience was extreme ; he was enchanted with 

 this aerial route. 



" Now it's your turn," said I, as soon as I had drawn up 

 the lasso. 



" Are you going to tie me ?" he asked in a disappointed 

 tone. 



" How did you suppose you would descend ?" 



" By holding on to the lasso, like 1'Encuerado and M. 

 Sumichrast," answered the boy. 



" The grasp of your hands is not firm enough ; you must 

 not think of it ; I have no wish to risk your neck." 



" Oh ! dear father ! do let me try." 



" Certainly not ; for if your trial failed, you would not 

 be in a position to try again." 



