fer method
of the two, particularly when that method offered equally satisfactory
results with the other. But, being merely a lad, and as yet scarcely
certain of himself, remembering also that his future prospects were
absolutely at Butler's mercy, to make or mar as he pleased, Harry
contented himself with a disclaimer of any such feeling as fear, and
expressed his readiness to perform the task in any manner which Butler
might choose to approve. At the same time he confessed his inability to
understand precisely how the required measurements were to be taken, and
requested instructions.

"Why," explained Butler impatiently, "the thing is surely simple enough
for a baby to understand. You will be lowered over the cliff edge and
let down the cliff face exactly five feet at a time. As it happens to
be absolutely calm, the rope by which you are to be lowered will hang
accurately plumb; all that you will have to do, therefore, will be to
measure the distance from your rope to the face of the rock, at every
five feet of drop, and you will then have the particulars necessary to
plot a contour of the cliff face, from top to bottom. You will do this
on both sides of the _quebrada_, and then measure the width across at
the top, which will enable us to produce a perfectly correct section of
the gorge."

"But how am I to measure the distance from the rope to the cliff face?"
demanded Harry. "For, as you will have observed, sir, the rock
overhangs at the top, and the gorge widens considerably as it descends."

"You can do your measuring with a ranging-rod," answered Butler tersely;
"and if one is not long enough, tie two together."

"Even so," persisted Harry, "I fear I shall not be able to manage--"

"Will you, or will you not, do as you are told?" snapped Butler. "If
you cannot manage with two rods, I will devise some other plan."

"Very well, sir," said Harry. "If you are quite determined to send me
over the cliff, I am ready to go. What rope is it your pleasure that I
shall use?"

"Take the tent ropes," ordered Butler. "You will have an ample quantity
if you join them all together. Make a seat for yourself in the end, and
then mark off the rest of the rope into five-foot lengths, so that we
may know exactly how much to pay out between the measurements. Then
lash two ranging-rods together, and you will find that you will manage
splendidly."

Harry had his doubts, for to his own mind the tent ropes seemed none