The further descent was now performed with comparative ease, and in
the manner I had at first intended. I hung the rope at half its
length over a point of rock, seeing now that it had a free run, and
allowing the two ends to fall. Then I swarmed down the double line
until I found another suitable place for hanging the rope by. Thus
making the descent by repeated stages, I stepped at last upon the
level rocks of the beach, sincerely thankful for my escape from so
great peril.
When I scrambled over the rocks towards the boat I found she was
floating in full three fathoms of water, so that my only course was
to swim out to her. This, however, was a small matter after what I
had gone through. I stripped myself on one of the outlying rocks,
and plunging into the water soon reached the boat and clambered
over the stern. I was obliged to "slip the anchor," for the painter
was tied deep below the water and had to be sacrificed. But I did
not take long to recover my clothes and dress myself, and then I
took to the oars with a will and rowed along the shore in search of
Robbie.
Steep and frowning looked the great cliff that I had come down. I
regarded it with a new interest, and felt some sense of pride and
satisfaction in my narrow escape from so serious a danger. Again I
took my viking's stone in my fingers, and my faith in it was
complete.
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