"And Bascomb clung to some vines till we pulled him back to the top of the bluff."
"Those vines fell all around the shelf I was on, and I was half-covered with them when I recovered enough to thoroughly realize my position. It is likely that, while he was clinging to them, Bascomb partly covered me with them by winding his legs about them, thus changing their position after I fell."
"And he covered you so that the vines and the darkness prevented us from seeing you."
"I suppose so."
"But why didn't you answer? Davis called to you more than twenty times."
"I was stunned, and I did not hear him at first. When I did hear, it was impossible for me to answer, although I tried to do so."
"And we went away and left you there."
"Yes."
"How did you get off the ledge?"
"My strength came to me swiftly when I realized my position. As soon as possible, realizing I was alone, I sought a way to get to the top of the bluff. I was successful, for I found some clefts in the rock for my feet, and, aided by the vines, I climbed up. Then I lost little time in getting into camp, for I didn't know what sort of a report you fellows would bring. I did not expect to reach camp ahead of you, but it seems that I did, although I had not been in the tent two minutes when you showed up."