H A JER-EL-H AMIS 2 1 1 



also to mosquitos, and Mrs Talbot would be very 

 anxious. The thought spurred us to fresh efforts. 



Two emissaries from the Chief of Mani had alone dared 

 to accompany us, and it was to the marvellous sure- 

 footedness of one of them that we owed our safe de- 

 scent. In the worst places he would manage to fix his 

 toes in some crevice and lean his knee against the rock 

 above, and, one after the other, we would hang from 

 Mr Talbot's coat, held by the other boy as far as it 

 would reach, then drop on to his knee, and so reach 

 the ledge beside him. Once as I jumped I heard him 

 entreat me not to do so, but it was too late, and I 

 thought I should sweep him to a horrible doom ; but 

 with wonderful luck he recovered his balance, and a 

 moment later we were both in safety. 



The bottom was reached, but it was none too soon, 

 for the sun had already set and we were in darkness. 



