394 SHORT STALKS 



really scientific dodges to which he had recourse that day. 

 I cannot tell how he defied the laws of o-ravitation wiiile he 

 cut the necessary supports for us, and while w^e were w\ait- 

 ing round the corner, but as each of us came to pass the 

 difficulty, he found, first a series of big pigeon-holes for 

 his feet in the perpendicular w^all, then a corresponding 

 series of little ones above the level of his head for his left 

 hand, and finally, a third series of small deep holes in the 

 opposite wall, which was distant six or seven feet. The 

 use of these last w^as to bring out the capabilities of the 

 axe as a third leo-. This was held at arm's leno-th ao-ainst 

 the opposite wall, the holes being intended to prevent the 

 point slipping. AVe were then aljle by its means to jam 

 ourselves against the ice, and move along, tripod fashion, 

 till, on reachino; the edo-e, a bio' red hand was thrust round 

 the corner, and seizing ours, drew us round into broad day- 

 light, on to a small platform of limited character on the 

 outside, and one by one we emerged like rabbits, a hundred 

 feet low^r than wdiere we had entered. 



We had onlv li'ot about a third of the w;iv down the 

 cliff, but what remained, althouiih it was hardlv less sheer, 

 and gave ample opportunity for the display of Jakob's 

 ingenuity and sticking powers, offered some slight shelves 

 and points of support, and after our late triumph we 

 hardly believed in anything which could stop him. There 

 was obviously only one possible way, and that Cacliat 

 strenuously maintained was impossil)le. He detached 

 himself and WTnt to look for a better, but came back in 

 ten minutes and in silence resumed the rope. 



After three hours of ingenious manceuvres and cramp- 

 ino- positions, and mnsterlv combinations of fing-er-holds. 



