climb; but Mysie declaring that the ascent was quite practicable where
they were, Caleb and Clarissa felt bound in honor to accompany her. For
some distance, all went very well,--the face of the cliff presuming
slight inequalities of surface, which answered for foot-and hand-holds,
and not being very steep; but suddenly Mysie, the leader of the group,
arriving within about three feet of the top, found the rock above her so
smooth as to give no possible foothold by which she might reach the
strong, coarse grass which nodded tauntingly to her over the brink.

Clinging closely to the face of the cliff, she turned her head to
announce to Caleb that she could not go on, and, in turning, looked
down. Before this she had felt no fear, only perplexity; but the sight
of those cruel rocks below,--the hollow booming of the waves, as they
lashed the foot of the cliff,--the consciousness that a fall of a
hundred feet awaited her, should she let go her hold,--all this struck
terror to Mysie's heart; and while a heavy, confused noise came
throbbing and ringing through her head, she shut her eyes, and fancied
she had seen her last of earth.

In an instant Caleb was beside her,--his arm about her, holding her
safely where she was; but to continue was impossible for either.

"Ho! Mr. F.!" shouted Caleb; "come this way, will you, and give my wife
your hand? She is a little frightened, and can't go on."

Presently a stout arm and hand appeared from among that nodding, mocking
grass, and a cheery voice exclaimed,--

"Here, my dear lady, take right hold, strong;--you can't pull me
over,--not if you try to."