eld to his companion with one hand and the rock with the
other, and they slowly made their way along the narrow ledge, pausing
every now and then to rest. At every step the path grew more perilous
and narrower, and the cliff on their left rose higher and higher, till
the reflected light of the sun had entirely disappeared. At certain
points the hot wind dashed upon them as furiously as the whirling mist
in 'The Cave of Winds' at Niagara Falls. Once Johnston's foot slipped
and he fell, but was drawn back to safety by the strong arm of the
Alphian.

"Be careful; hold to the cliff's face," warned Branasko indifferently,
and he moved onward as if nothing unusual had occurred. Presently they
reached a point where a narrow boulder jutted out over the chasm toward
the opposite side, and Branasko cautiously crawled out upon it. When
he had got to its end, Johnston could not see him in the gloom, but his
voice came to him out of the roaring of the chasm.

"I can see the other side, and am going to jump." An instant later, the
American heard the clatter of the Alphian's shoes on the rock, and his
grunt of satisfaction. Then Branasko called out: "Come on; crawl out
till you feel the end of the rock, and then you can see me."

In great trepidation the American slowly crawled out on the narrow rock.
Below him yawned the hot darkness, above hung that black ominous canopy
of nothingness. Slowly he advanced on hands and knees, every moment
feeling the sharp rock growing narrower, till finally he reached the
end. He looked ahead. He could but faintly see the ledge and Branasko's
tall form silhouetted upon it.

"See, this is where you have to alight," cried the Alphian. "Jump, I
will catch you!"

"I am afraid I shall topple over when I stand up," replied the American.
"The rock is narrow and my head is already swimming. I fear I cannot
reach you. It is no use."

"Tut, tut!" exclaimed Branasko. "Stand up quickly, and jump at once.
Don't stop to think about it."

Johnston obeyed. He felt his feet firmly braced on the rock and he
sprang toward the opposite ledge with all his might. Branasko caught
him.

"Good," he grunted. "There is another place, we must jump again. It
is further on." Along this ledge they went for some distance, Branasko
leading the way and holding the arm of the American.

"Now here we are, the chasm is a little wider, but the ledge on the
other side is broader." As he spoke he released Johnston's arm and
pre