ADEN. 109 
sides the terrific aspect of a perpendicular abyss. At this point 
my companions sat down on the rock and could not be induced 
to proceed further, though, we were then at no great distance from 
the principal tower, to visit which formed the chief object of the 
excursion. My desire if possible to find an inscription, which T 
had reason to think might exist there, determined me to persist in 
the attempt, and after reaching the tower with great difficulty 
and considerable hazard, I succeeded in getting into it, by 
clinging with my arms round an angle of the wall, where, sup- 
ported only by one loose stone, I had to pass, over a perpendicular 
precipice of many hundred feet, down which it was impossible 
to look without shuddering. I had now done my utmost to 
attain my object, but found nothing to reward me for the danger 
I had encountered, except the view, which was indeed magnificent; 
and at this moment, I confess, I could not help looking round 
with a feeling of gratification, somewhat bordering on pride, at 
beholding my less adventurous companions, and the inhabitants of 
the town gazing up from beneath, together with the lofty hills 
and the broad expanse of ocean extended at my feet. The pleasure 
however which this prospect afforded was greatly allayed by the 
necessity there existed of retracing my steps, which required a 
much stronger effort than the entrance itself had done, for after a 
few moments reflection, I found a feeling of hesitation coming 
over my mind, which would, I am convinced, in a few minutes 
have actually disabled me from the undertaking, and nothing 
but the absolute necessity of making the attempt enabled me, 
with a sort of desperation, to surmount the difficulties of the 
situation into which I had unwarily drawn myself. 
