The passage traversed so long terminated abruptly, and with a sheer turn to the left, coming forth between two huge rocks.  To all appearances, it ended at the high bank of a noisy stream, and was partly hidden by the overhanging cliff.  The latter, devoid of path or chasm, now barred our progress, towering aloft until its ragged summit appeared to press the blue sky.  At first view I thought the way ended here, but Cairnes pointed silently toward the right, and then I perceived where a path led upward, along the merest narrow, jagged shelf, skirting the boiling water, yet ever rising higher above it, until, as my eyes followed its serpentine windings from terrace to terrace, I grew dizzy contemplating the possibilities of so mad a climb.

“I suppose it must be tried,” I admitted soberly, “for there is apparently no other passage.  Doubtless it leads straight to the top of the cliff.”

“Ay,” with more of indifference than I had expected, “and it will be no easy trick in the night.”

“The night?”

“Surely, yes; when else could we expect to compass the path?  Is it not plain, friend, that before we rose fifty feet we should be in full view of every eye in the valley with the sun bright upon us?  I tell you we must foot yonder rocks amid the night shadows, or else it will be safer to lie hidden here.”

I perceived the truth of his words and I confess to a sinking of the heart, as I contemplated the work before us.  I was never an adept in clambering, it addles my head; and, bad as it appeared by day, surely doubly bad would it prove by night.  Yet there was little help for it, and I made shift to win back my oozing courage by more cheerful speech.  “Odds, but that is no such trip as I would seek after, yet needs must if the devil drives,” I said.  “So, now, brother Cairnes, if you wilt consent to divide your store of food, we shall both front our night’s work with stronger bodies.”

“Saints’ rest! and if we go over the edge,” he replied, cheerfully emptying his bulging pockets on the rock, “it will be a comfort to bear loaded stomachs with us.  It was ever against my pleasure to die half filled.”

We lingered as long as possible over our meal, conversing in such a way as to encourage each other and indulging in frequent draughts from the clear stream.  Nothing occurred to disturb us, and, finally, both yielded to the soothing influence of the drowsy evening, and, resting back upon the rocks, dropped asleep.  I know not the hour of my awakening, yet it greatly heartened me to be greeted by the sight of a nearly full moon, and to observe how the clear silvery light flooded the rocks, revealing the winding path leading upward.  To arouse Cairnes was no easy task, but at last we advanced on our path.  The huge rocks overhead appeared to arch us in, while, with utmost caution, we crept along the narrow, irregular ledge, which at times was level, and anon rose abruptly like the steps of a stair; occasionally it wound about projecting rocks and over vast, unknown depths, until my brain whirled, while I hugged the smooth rock wall at my right, and felt cautiously forward for solid foothold.