188 
AX INSANE QUESTION. 
from under my left arm, dug my elbows and knees into 
the soft earth, pressed my breast close to that of the 
mountain, and, feeling the friction thus created relieve 
my arm of considerable weight, began to think. 
^^In the mean time, Rose and Burke were in a terrible 
state of excitement. The noise of tlie falling box 
caused them to look around and discover my almost- 
pendent position, while, from the nature of the ground, 
they felt totally unable to render me the slightest assist- 
ance. I do believe that their feelings were as unpleasant 
as my own, though probably a shade less vivid. Rose, 
seeing the utter hopelessness of etFecting a rescue, re- 
solved himself into a fit of spasmodic suggestiveness, 
commencing his advice by cautioning me to Hiold on 
hard,* while Burke immediately commenced reclimbing 
to the scene of action, singing out, ^ Stand by to jump, 
sir, if you slip,’ — both of which admonitions only served 
to give me a darker idea of what was before, or rather 
under, me. 
“The fissure was at least three feet wide, and the 
pointed rocks upon which, if successful, I was to alight 
face first were any thing but inviting. I fancied, too, that 
every motion of the buslics that grew around them was 
caused by some alarmed reptile preparing to receive me, 
and shrank from the uncertain leap. Then at times I 
tliought the grass was failing, and this would start the 
perspiration to my brow and cause a sickly shiver to 
l>ass through me, carrying with it half of my strength 
and courage. 
“About this time, Rose asked me if I couldn’t jump 
between two of the bayonet-like rocks; but I thought 
