A CLIFF ADVENTURE. 151 



up by the rope hand over hand, for he was light, wiry, 

 and active, and his muscles strengthened and tough- 

 ened by constant exercise, gymnastics, rowing, cricket, 

 and the like. But nearly fifty feet ! It was out of 

 the question — it was impossible, and we both knew 

 it. Moreover, we had no hope of help coming. 

 There was not the slightest chance of any one passing 

 that way, for the cliff was far away from human 

 habitation, an isolated headland, a place which no one 

 had occasion to visit. Of that we were perfectly 

 aware. 



" What's to be done ? " at last I cried. " But at 

 anyrate, don't get shaky." 



Firm and clear came up the reply : " Shaky ! old 

 fellow. No ! that I shan't, and I know you won't 

 either. I know you won't let go. We shall do yet, 

 never fear. I am thinking of a plan," And then, 

 after a moment's pause : " I have it. If you hold hard 

 by the stake-end of the rope, and slip the other over, 

 I'll slide down till I reach some footing. Wait till I 

 shout that I'm all ready, and then kick the rope out 

 as far as you can, that it may not come down on my 

 head. You understand ? " 



" All right," I shouted back, instantly comprehending, 

 and immensely admiring the ready wit of the device. 

 " Be careful in moving. Don't jerk. Give the rope a 

 twist round your legs, and slip down slowly." It was 

 not without danger that this could be done, and every- 

 thing depended upon steadiness and nerve. Haste or 

 flurry would in all probability have been fatal. He 



