"You have been guilty of a very imprudent act, sir," remarked Joel as soon as he recovered his breath.
"Imprudent!" repeated the traveler. "Yes, and as absurd as it was imprudent."
"You have not only risked your life, but—"
"Made you risk yours."
"Oh! that is my business," replied Joel, lightly. Then he added, in an entirely different tone: "The thing to be done now is to regain the brow of the cliff, but the most difficult part of the task is already accomplished."
"The most difficult?"
"Yes, sir. That was to reach you. Now we have only to ascend a much more gradual slope.
"Still, you had better not place much dependence upon me, my boy. I have a leg that isn't of much use to me just now, nor will it be for some time to come I fear."
"Try to raise yourself a little."
"I will gladly do so if you will assist me."