n to learn how the wealth of the world is for ever
encompassed by dangers that we wot not of. A shout drew my attention,
and on looking up a sight met my gaze which drove all thoughts of
ruby-hunting from my mind, and made self-preservation my only concern.
The rope by which I had descended, relieved of my weight, swayed like
a serpent endowed with life, and for this reason, perhaps, it was being
fiercely attacked, about midway from the top, by a flock of white
eagles which tore at the hemp with beak and claws. I ran to the cradle;
but I had barely come to it when the rope parted, a hundred feet or
more of it falling down to where I stood scarcely able, as yet, to
realize the extent of the disaster which had overtaken me. A return to
the ship for a fresh rope would occupy, I knew, six hours at the least,
provided my companions were not molested on their way by hostile
savages, and I shuddered to think what my sufferings must be during
such a period of enforced solitude in this dreadful place. I shouted to
my comrades on top of the cliff, who answered me, but it was impossible
to understand what was said. I noticed, however, that some had already
set off on a return to the ship, as I conjectured, for a fresh rope;
while others continued to watch me. Thus I did not feel so deserted as
I would otherwise have done, though I dreaded the weary hours before
me, particularly when it should become dark, as would happen sooner
here than above.

And now, to add to my terrors, I became aware of a low, hissing sound
which seemed to come from all around me, first from one quarter and
then from another. The air seemed to menace me with the hisses that
were borne upon it. Then, in spite of the gloom, by straining my eyes I
could see the cause of this hissing. A number of serpents were crawling
out of the crevices of the rocks around, and making toward me. I
shouted in the hope of frightening them away, but, although they
paused, irresolute, at the sound of my voice, they came on again,
drawing closer every minute. They were of all sizes, some of great
length, black and venomous-looking. One monstrous reptile of the
constrictor species continued to watch me from an adjacent rock upon
which it lay, its forked tongue darting in and out of its mouth. I felt
that my reason was leaving me. Endurance has its limits--I could bear
no more. Death or madness awaited me.

Then a miracle happened. The white eagles, the cause of my mishap, now
pro