THE SHORES OF BRITAIN. 97- 



of the cave, and, springing into the air, providentially 

 succeeded in grasping the pendulous rope, and wai 

 saved. 



Sometimes it is thought preferable to make the 

 attempt from below : in this case, several approach 

 the base in a boat ; and the most dexterous, bearing 

 a line attached to his body, essays to climb, assisted 

 by his comrades, who push him from below with a 

 pole. "Wlien he has gained a place where he can 

 stand firmly, he draws up another with his rope, and 

 then another, until all are up, except one left to 

 manage the boat. They then proceed in exactly the 

 same manner to gain a higher stage, the first climbing 

 and then drawing up the others : and thus they 

 ascend till they arrive at the level of the birds, when 

 they collect and throw do^vn their booty to the boat. 

 Sometimes the party remains several days on the 

 expedition, sleeping in the crannies and caverns. 

 This mode is attended with peculiar hazard ; for, as a 

 man often hangs suspended merely from the hands of 

 a single comrade, it occasionally happens that the 

 latter cannot sustain his weight, and thus lets him 

 fall, or is himself drawn over the rock, and shares in 

 his companion's miserable death. 



The object of these daring adventures, which bring 

 to mind the words of Shakspeare, 



" H:ilf way down 

 Hangs one that gathers samphire- -dreadful trade ! " 



is chiefly the Guillemot {Uria troile), a bird some- 

 what like the Penguin, but with a pointed beak. 



The Gannet {Sula hassana) is of the Pelican tribe, 



ji 



