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           Forexample,ifonewentso,upthatgullyandtothatchimneythere,thenonemightcomeouthighamongthosestuntedpinesthatranroundinasortofshelfandrosestillhigherandhigherasitpassedabovethegorge. Andthen? Thattalusmightbemanaged. Thenceperhapsaclimbmightbefoundtotakehimuptotheprecipicethatcamebelowthesnow;andifthatchimneyfailed,thenanotherfarthertotheeastmightservehispurposebetter. Andthen? Thenonewouldbeoutupontheamber-litsnowthere,andhalf-wayuptothecrestofthosebeautifuldesolations. 

           Heglancedbackatthevillage,thenturnedrightroundandregardeditsteadfastly. 

           HethoughtofMedina-saroti,andshehadbecomesmallandremote. 

           Heturnedagaintowardsthemountainwall,downwhichthedayhadcometohim. 

           Thenverycircumspectlyhebegantoclimb. 

           Whensunsetcamehewasnolongerclimbing,buthewasfarandhigh. Hehadbeenhigher,buthewasstillveryhigh. Hisclothesweretorn,hislimbswereblood-stained,hewasbruisedinmanyplaces,buthelayasifhewereathisease,andtherewasasmileonhisface.