148 THE ADVENTURES OF 



tree, called out to us to let go the lasso ; this he tied round a 

 stout branch, and disappeared down the abyss. 



It was not long before we saw him again install himself on 

 the tree, round which he had rolled the leather strap, when 

 he called out to us that we might descend without any great 

 danger. 



" How shall we fasten it % " asked Lucien ; " there are no thick 

 branches just at the edge." 



" The strap is a long one, and there is a bush not far off 

 with pretty strong branches." 



" But then we shall lose the lasso ; for none will be left to 

 unloosen it." 



" Upon my word ! " cried Sumichrast, " Master Sunbeam is 

 right." 



Then each of us tried to solve the problem, proposing expe- 

 dients more or less impracticable. 



" I 've found it out," cried I at last, with quite as much satis- 

 faction as Archimedes when he leapt out of his bath. 



Seizing my machete, I cut two stakes of a good thickness, 

 which I drove into the ground close to one another, about three 

 yards from the precipice. Whilst Sumichrast with a club was 

 consolidating my work, I cut a stick about a foot long, to the 

 middle of which I firmly tied the lasso. I then placed it cross- 

 wise behind the stakes. I considered that when we had let 

 ourselves down to the spot occupied by I'Encuerado, a sharp un- 

 dulatory shake given to the lasso would be sufficient to disen- 

 gage the stick. When our preparations were finished, we let 

 down the basket to the man who carried it. Then Sumichrast, 

 who was the heaviest amongst us, slid down the cord to the tree 

 which grew in so convenient a position. The stakes scarcely 

 yielded at all to his weight. Continuing his descent, my friend 

 soon joined the Indian. 



Lucien's impatience was extreme ; he was enchanted with this 

 aerial route. 



" Now, it 's your turn," said I, as soon as I had drawn up the 

 lasso. 



" Are you going to tie me ? " he asked, in a disappointed tone. 



