would strengthen
his position, for they came from other roots; and very cautiously he
made his first effort, drawing himself steadily up till his chin reached
his hands, and then, after waiting a moment, loosening his hold with one
hand, and with a lightning-like rapidity getting a fresh grasp.

In spite of his efforts to change his position cautiously, the hazel
boughs swayed to and fro in a most ominous fashion, and he could hear
the loosened earth and stones falling below him in a shower.

It was enough to unnerve him, but he strove on, knowing now that it was
a question of moments, and that if he could not grasp the boughs of
another stubb the one from which he was banging must give way, and be
precipitated with him into the abyss.

The splashing below was horrible, and it seemed to be multiplied to a
vast extent by the echoes, till the noise came up like a strange hissing
roar.

But there was not a moment to lose; and though the suggestion of his own
fall nearly unnerved him he kept up the struggle hand over hand, but
with the knowledge that he seemed to get no higher, for all he did was
to turn the hazel boughs into powerful levers strong enough to begin
tearing the stubb up by the roots.

One by one he could hear them crack on the side farthest away, and the
great bush came slowly bodily over towards him, bringing bough after
bough within his reach; and these he seized, forcing those he before
clung to down beneath him into the pit.

But still he seemed to get no higher, and--horror of horrors! he could
now see the roots of the hazel coming over towards him.

_Crack_, _crack_, in a dull heavy way, they kept being torn asunder, and
it soon became evident that the bush was only held now by one of its
stoutest roots. The soft earth showered down upon the panting man, and
his muscles quivered under the tension to which they were exposed; but
now he was able to rest his arms to some extent by clinging to the
branches below him with his legs.

Was there no hope? Such a short distance to climb if the hazel stubb
would only hold; but he dare now hardly move, for the slightest
vibration brought down more earth, and, moment by moment, be expected to
hear the final crack, and then to feel the rush of the air as he was
hurried down into the black depths below.

It was very horrible, and so great was the strain upon his mind as well
as muscles that for a moment he found himself thinking whether it would
not be a