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Chapter 20
EvenAlan(thoughyoumaysayhehadasgoodasfourhands)failedtwiceinanattempttoclimbthem;anditwasonlyatthethirdtrial,andthenbystandingonmyshouldersandleapingupwithsuchforceasIthoughtmusthavebrokenmycollar-bone,thathesecuredalodgment.Oncethere,heletdownhisleatherngirdle;andwiththeaidofthatandapairofshallowfootholdsintherock,Iscrambledupbesidehim.
ThenIsawwhywehadcomethere;forthetworocks,beingbothsomewhathollowonthetopandslopingonetotheother,madeakindofdishorsaucer,whereasmanyasthreeorfourmenmighthavelainhidden.
AllthiswhileAlanhadnotsaidaword,andhadrunandclimbedwithsuchasavage,silentfrenzyofhurry,thatIknewthathewasinmortalfearofsomemiscarriage.Evennowwewereontherockhesaidnothing,norsomuchasrelaxedthefrowninglookuponhisface;butclappedflatdown,andkeepingonlyoneeyeabovetheedgeofourplaceofshelterscoutedallroundthecompass.Thedawnhadcomequiteclear;wecouldseethestonysidesofthevalley,anditsbottom,whichwasbestrewedwithrocks,andtheriver,whichwentfromonesidetoanother,andmadewhitefalls;butnowherethesmokeofahouse,noranylivingcreaturebutsomeeaglesscreamingroundacliff.
ThenatlastAlansmiled.
“Ay”saidhe,“nowwehaveachance;”andthenlookingatmewithsomeamusement,“Ye’renoveryglegatthejumping,”saidhe.
