appeared to lead along the top of the ridge, and to descend--with
it into a deep ravine about half a mile in advance of us.

Robinson Crusoe could not have been more startled at the
footprint in the sand than we were at this unwelcome discovery.
My first impulse was to make as rapid a retreat as possible, and
bend our steps in some other direction; but our curiosity to see
whither this path might lead, prompted us to pursue it. So on we
went, the track becoming more and more visible the farther we
proceeded, until it conducted us to the verge of the ravine,
where it abruptly terminated.

'And so,' said Toby, peering down into the chasm, 'everyone that
travels this path takes a jump here, eh?'

'Not so,' said I, 'for I think they might manage to descend
without it; what say you,--shall we attempt the feat?'

'And what, in the name of caves and coal-holes, do you expect to
find at the bottom of that gulf but a broken neck--why it looks
blacker than our ship's hold, and the roar of those waterfalls
down there would batter one's brains to pieces.'

'Oh, no, Toby,' I exclaimed, laughing; 'but there's something to
be seen here, that's plain, or there would have been no path, and
I am resolved to find out what it is.'

'I will tell you what, my pleasant fellow,' rejoined Toby
quickly, 'if you are going to pry into everything you meet with
here that excites your curiosity, you will marvellously soon get