was only by the strongest effort of my will
that I could force myself to again open them, and work my way gradually
back to the little ledge. There I threw myself down, panting and deadly
sick, the whole world seeming to spin round me; and there I lay for
some time inert and helpless, before I could brace myself sufficiently
for a further effort. At length I roused myself and started up again in
another direction, towards where I could see a few stunted bushes
growing, and here to my joy I found a wider ledge than the last,
leading steeply upwards. It came to an end, however, far below the
cliff top; moreover, at this part the top actually overhung me, and it
was evident I must attempt to work my way farther round before climbing
higher. To add to my anxiety I noticed now that evening was fast
approaching and I realized that I had but little daylight left to me,
and should darkness find me still clinging like a fly to the face of
the cliff my fate was certain. I was almost exhausted, and my heart
sank as I searched in vain for a way up. The distance was not great
now, a bare fifty feet separating me from the topmost pinnacle, but
though I walked along the bottom of this barrier for some distance it
still presented the same insurmountable difficulties.

And the sun had set, and dusk was already falling, when half frantic
with fear, I at length made out a crevice which appeared to offer a
possible means of saving my life. It ran diagonally across the rock at
a steep angle upwards, going out of my sight around a big buttress that
overhung me, and I could not tell whether it reached to the actual top
or not. But it was my only chance, and with my heart in my mouth I made
my way towards it. I could just reach it, and setting my teeth and
summoning all my courage, I gripped it fast and made my way gradually
upward. For a few yards my feet found a little foothold to help me, but
soon I was dangling over the awful abyss. I dare not think of what lay
below me, but with set teeth, and muscles cracking with the strain, I
edged gradually along till I rounded the buttress face, and here within
ten feet of the summit I found scanty foothold again. Here I stood
quivering and exhausted till I had regained my breath, and then in the
fast waning light I examined the few feet of rock that still stood
between me and freedom. Barely two feet above my outstretched hand was
the pinnacle that formed the edge of the cliff, but how was I to reach