inting to the sharp slab. "That pike should help us;
I think it would go."

"You think it would go?" queried Nasmyth meaningly. "Aren't you mixing
idioms? Pike's what we'd say round Wasdale, and your other expression's
not uncommon in Switzerland."

Batley laughed.

"I'll own that I've done some rock work in both districts, though I was
thinner then. But I've an idea that time's precious to our leader."

He lowered himself over the edge and finding foothold, went down
cautiously by crack and fissure, while the others followed with some
trouble. Alighting waist-deep in a frothing rush of water, he was driven
for a few yards down-stream, and it was only by seeking the support of
the rock that he slowly made head against the torrent. Lisle joined him
when he reached the foot of the pinnacle, where they stopped to gather
breath with a thin shower of spray whirling about them. The light was
still dim down in the bottom of the chasm, and the mass of rock ran up
above them, shadowy, black and almost smooth.

Wasting no time in examination, Lisle flung himself upon it, seeking for
a grip with elbows and knees. He had ascended a yard or two when he lost
hold and coming down with a run fell with a splash into the stream.

"I didn't think you'd manage it that way," Batley remarked. "The edge
appears a little more promising."

He went up, with Lisle following, finding hold for knees and fingers,
while Nasmyth and Crestwick, panting heavily, encouraged each other
below. On reaching the top of the pinnacle, Batley lay upon it and gave
Lisle his hand; and when he had drawn him up he pointed to the tree.

"I'll go first, for reasons that will become apparent later," he
explained. "Hold on to the log; it doesn't seem firmly fixed."

The tree was small and when Lisle shook it the butt moved against the
face of the rock, which was separated by a broad gap from the top of the
fallen mass. Batley was heavy, but he ascended cautiously, while Lisle
leaned upon the log to steady it. Then, calling Nasmyth to take his
place, Lisle went up. When he was near the top, it looked as if their
progress must abruptly cease. The butt was narrow and the summit of the
rock above it projected somewhat. There was not the smallest knob or
crevice one could grasp, and below them in the shadowy rift the torrent
boiled furiously among massy stones. It was not a place to slip in.

Batley, however, rose very carefully, with his feet upon the shattered
b