222 



THE ADVENTURES OF 



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

 pedients more or less impracticable. 



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

 satisfaction as Archimedes when he leaped 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. While 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 crosswise behind the stakes. I considered that 

 when we had let ourselves down to the spot occupied by 

 l'Encuerado, a sharp undulatory shake given to the lasso 

 would be sufficient to disengage the stick. When our prep- 

 arations were finished, we let down the basket to the man 

 who carried it: Then Sumichrast, who was the heaviest 

 among 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. 



" How did you suppose you would descend ?" 



" By holding on to the lasso, like l'Encuerado and M. 

 Sumichrast," answered the boy. 



" The grasp of your hands is not firm enough ; you must 

 not think of it ; I have no wish to risk your neck." 



" Oh ! dear father ! do let me try." 



" Certainly not ; for if your {rial failed, you would not 

 be in a position to try again." 



