hen ran swiftly to the brink, and, springing into the air, alighted
safely on the other side of the chasm.

[Illustration: SAM BARTON'S HARBORING PLACE.]

"I don't like that way of getting over," said Tom, looking down at the
rocks beneath him; "that rope might break."

"I'll risk that," was the reply. "It's strong enough to hold half a
dozen fellers like us, an' it is made fast up there to a tree as big
around as your body. Ketch it, Muley, an' come on."

The governor let go the rope, which swung back to Tom's side of the
chasm, and the latter, with a good deal of trembling and hesitation,
prepared to take his turn. He made two or three false starts--stepping
back for a short run, as he had seen the governor do, and then suddenly
stopping when he reached the brink of the chasm, and thought what would
become of him if the rope should break loose from the tree above; but
his fear of being laughed at was stronger than his dread of the rocks,
and finally he drew in a long breath, and launched himself into the air.
Somewhat to his astonishment, he accomplished the feat very easily; and
when he found himself safe on the opposite side, he straightened up and
looked at the governor as if he had done something wonderful.

Sam fastened the rope to a bush, and once more led the way up the path,
which grew steeper and more difficult the nearer they approached the
summit. In some places the cliff was quite perpendicular, and the only
way they could advance at all was by drawing themselves up by the bushes
that grew out of the crevices of the rocks. They reached the top at
last, however, and then Sam stopped, and, pointing through the leaves,
showed Tom several men at work in a field, and a farm-house in the
distance.

"I hooks them fellers' water-melons," observed the governor.

"What if they should discover us now, and come after us?" said Tom.

"Let 'em come. They wouldn't find us, I reckon; an', even if they did,
they couldn't ketch us, fur they couldn't get across that gully. But
they don't dream of any body's livin' down here, in this dark hole. If
they miss their water-melons, they lay the blame on some of the village
boys."

Tom did not care to remain long on the cliff, for he was afraid that
something might happen to direct the attention of the farmers toward him
and his companion, and he had no desire to run a race with any body down
that steep path. He might make a misstep, and that would be a calamity,
for he w