for it--as will be seen in the sequel.

The second question that presented itself was:--admitting that the
bearcoot might bear up a rope stout enough for the purpose, whether
there would be any possibility of getting this rope stayed at the top?

Of course, they could do nothing of themselves; and that point would be
a matter of mere chance. There was a chance--all acknowledged that.
The bird, in fluttering over the mountain to make its escape, might
entangle the rope around a rock, or some sharp angle of the frozen snow.
There was a chance, which could be determined by trying, and only by
trying; and there were certain probabilities in favour of success.

The first difficulty--that relating to the strength and weight of the
rope--admitted of rational discussion and calculation. There were
_data_ to go upon, and others that might be decided conjecturally, yet
sufficiently near the truth for all preliminary purposes. They could
tell pretty nearly what stoutness of rope it would take to _hang_ any
one of them; and this would be strong enough to carry them up the cliff.
The strength of the eagle might also be presumed pretty nearly; and
there was no doubt but that the bearcoot would do his very best to get
out of the valley. After the rough handling he had already experienced,
he would not require any further stimulus to call forth his very utmost
exertions.

On discussing the subject in its different bearings, it soon became
evident to all, that the matter of supreme importance would be the
making of the rope. Could this be manufactured of sufficient fineness
not to overburden the bearcoot, and yet be strong enough to sustain the
weight of a man, the first difficulty would be got over. The rope
therefore should be made with the greatest care. Every fibre of it
should be of the best quality of hemp--every strand twisted with a
perfect uniformity of thickness--every plait manipulated with an exact
accuracy.

Ossaroo was the man to make such a cord. He could spin it with as much
evenness as a Manchester mill. There would be no danger that in a rope
of Ossaroo's making the most critical eye could detect either fault or
flaw.

It was finally determined on that the rope should be spun--Ossaroo
acting as director, the others becoming his attendants rather than his
assistants.

Before proceeding to work, however, it was deemed prudent to secure
against a hungry day by curing the flesh of the brace of ibex. The d