most suitable time for making their final effort;
they were in no immediate hurry now, and it was scarcely worth while to
risk detection by putting off in broad daylight. Besides, the
sea-breeze was blowing half a gale, and in their exhausted condition
they would scarcely be able to drive the boat ahead against it; whilst,
by waiting until sundown, they would have it calm to start with, and the
breeze, when it came, would be off the land and in their favour.

Thus arguing the matter with himself, he rose to his feet, and sauntered
leisurely back to the cliff-edge on his return journey.

He was surprised and greatly disconcerted now to discover how easy it
was to miss the spot at which he had made his ascent. The strong
breeze, sweeping over the grass, had obliterated every trace of his
recent passage through it, but he confidently walked in what he believed
to be the right direction--only to find himself mistaken. The bare
patch of rock which he had cleared to facilitate his passage over the
edge was of course, when once found, an unmistakable landmark; but he
was quite five minutes walking to and fro on the cliff-edge before he
hit upon it, and quite long enough to have insured his capture had he
been surprised and closely pursued.

Having at last found it, however, he forthwith began his descent; and
here again he was disagreeably reminded of the much greater difficulty
which is experienced in the _descent_ than in the _ascent_ of a cliff.
His difficulties began with his first attempt to lower himself over the
cliff-edge; and, notwithstanding his utmost care, he several times found
himself in positions of the most appalling peril. He, however, got down
safely to the cavern at last, and, after detailing to Tom the result of
his observations, threw himself down on the rocky floor, to recover in
sleep, if possible, the strength and nerve necessary for their final
ascent.

When George awoke, the sun was within about an hour of setting. There
was, therefore, time for him to go out and secure for his companions and
himself another meal of the wild raspberries, which he accordingly did.

The fugitives had all their preparations complete in good time, and,
when everything was quite ready, Leicester went out and stood at the
entrance to the fissure, watching the shadows creep gradually higher and
higher up the eastern side of the ravine as the sun declined toward the
horizon. At length the last golden gleam vanished,