20 
THE ORIENTAL ANNUAL. 
our apparel, we cautiously commenced our descent, 
a Portugue leading the way. It was evident that a 
single false step must end in a headlong fall of at 
least a thousand feet. 
The excitement of so long a period, with little 
sustenance and without rest, had rendered me insen- 
sible to fatigue, hut had produced the false strength 
and mad determination of fever. Upheld by this 
supernatural strength, I followed the steps of the 
crouching guide and my more cautious companion, 
until about half way down, the former found it 
impossible to proceed. We reconnoitred the place, 
and found our farther progress barred by a narrow 
projecting shelf of rock, which overhung a vast and 
giddy chasm, black and interminable as seen in the 
dubious morning light. A few feet below, however, 
we discovered a second ledge of the same description, 
but affording a very precarious footing. We lowered 
ourselves over the abyss, clinging with outstretched 
arms to the edge, and letting the body slide gently 
down the scarped face of the precipice. From thence, 
grappling the scanty knots and rents of the rock with 
apprehensive energy, we descended to the beach, pass- 
ing from point to point, and sliding down the narrow 
water tracks. 
Turning a sudden angle as the beach was gained, 
we were appalled by beholding the mangled and blood- 
stained corpse of our ill-fated comrade; he lay 
stretched upon his back, cold and stiffened, his limbs 
