TEE GOLDEN EAGLE. 193 



already. It was mncli more likely that the other strong- 

 rope would have done its duty, should it have to bear 

 the weight of the ladder falling backwards. At this 

 moment we heard a fearful rushing noise in the air. 

 All looked up. I and the man next me were as if 

 thunderstruck; for a huge piece of rock came falling 

 down between him and me, with such swiftness that for 

 a moment I was breathless, and the blood in my body 

 seemed as if it were boiling. It probably had been 

 loosened by the blows of the men's axes while working 

 above. The man and I were but a yard apart, and it is 

 really wonderful that it grazed neither of us. The fright 

 of the men was great ; to me, however, it seemed a sign 

 that my hour was not yet come. After this circum- 

 stance I began to mount the ladders. 



The first was so slender that it rocked mth my weight 

 very considerably, and I was glad when it was passed. 

 When I now came to the perpendicular one, and saw 

 the position of that at top, I cannot deny that as I 

 mounted, I commended my soul to my Maker ; but I 

 was calm, and as full of confidence in the strength of 

 my arms, and in my bodily activity, as though there 

 was not the least danger present. The perpendicular 

 ladder was now ascended. Although I had not the 

 least giddiness whatever, I could not but see, on looking 

 upwards, and then down below, that to mount the third 

 ladder was a feat for a rope-dancer, rather than for any- 







