be found no easy matter.
Could I have stood securely, I might have crouched down till I could
have got hold of the plank on which my foot rested, but there was
scarcely room for that, and if I let go the plank above me I might
tumble over on my back; yet there was no other way of descent, so
holding on with my left hand I tried to find something which I might
grasp with my right lower down.

My satisfaction was considerable when my hand came in contact with the
rope-handle of a large chest. It appeared to be secure, and holding it
I was able to stoop down and fix my other hand on the ledge on which my
feet rested. One stage of my descent was thus accomplished. I now held
the ledge tight with both hands, let my legs slip off, and felt about
with my feet for another resting-place. For some seconds I was swinging
about, holding on by my hands. There might be another ledge not half an
inch below my feet. I stretched down my toes to the utmost. I could
not discover it. Should I let go I might have a serious fall. I worked
my way on, hoping to be more fortunate. At last my feet struck against
the end of a chest, and after making a little further exertion I found
that it was secure, and that I could venture to stand upon it.

I was still uncertain how far I was off the ground; all the difficulty I
experienced arose from being in darkness. I could probably, I knew,
have scrambled over the whole of the building with perfect ease had
there been light. I might already be close to the ground, but at the
same time I might be many feet above it, and I therefore could not
venture to step down without going through the same process as before.
Leaning on my elbows, I stretched my arms along the top of the chest. I
slipped off, and unexpectedly found my feet touch the ground. I was too
eager to escape to allow myself time to rest after my exertions. I once
more began to search round the vault, hoping to find an oar, a boat's
mast or spar, or somewhat that might serve my purpose. I felt about in
vain; indeed it was not likely that the smugglers should have placed
such things in the vault.

I at last reached the part where the boxes or chests, as I supposed they
were, rested, and I began to stumble among them. The region in which I
had spent the last two or three hours was considerably disarranged. I
fancied that I knew every part, and now I was completely thrown out in
my calculations. One chest stood up on end on an