managed to climb half way up the cliff, when they stopped to take
breath and look around them. They were now in a perilous position,
for, hanging as they were on a narrow ledge of rock midway between
earth and sky, the least slip would have cost them their lives. The
great mass of rock which frowned above them was nearly
perpendicular, yet offered here and there certain facilities for
climbing, though to do so looked like certain death. The men,
however, were quite reckless, and knew if they could get to the top
they would be safe, so they determined to attempt the rest of the
ascent.

'As we have not the wings of eagles, friend Pierre,' said the
younger man, glancing around, 'we must climb where we can find
foothold. God will protect us; if not,' with a sneer, 'the Devil
always looks after his own.'

He crept along the narrow ledge and scrambled with great difficulty
into a niche above, holding on by the weeds and sparse grass which
grew out of the crannies of the barren crag. Followed by his
companion, he went steadily up, clinging to projecting rocks--long
trails of tough grass and anything else he could hold on to. Every
now and then some seabird would dash out into their faces with wild
cries, and nearly cause them to lose their foothold in the sudden
start. Then the herbage began to get more luxurious, and the cliff
to slope in an easy incline, which made the latter part of their
ascent much easier. At last, after half an hour's hard work, they
managed to get to the top, and threw themselves breathlessly on the
short dry grass which fringed the rough cliff. Lying there half
fainting with fatigue and hunger, they could hear, as in a confused
dream, the drowsy thunder of the waves below, and the discordant