“But circumstances, Mr. Kirby.”
“Look behind you, Marston, and you will see that while walking and talking at our leisure, we have been advancing all the time, and have in reality made a very perceptible ascent. The valley looks like a green thread, and the few buildings that we see like pigeon-houses.”
“Yes, indeed; we get along better than I expected. We’ve been steadily at it, that’s all.”
“That is it, Marston, steadily at it. Perseverance is sure, sooner or later, to overcome.”
“And if we have a plan, and steadily follow it, shall we succeed?” I asked.
“Almost sure to do so; not by one endeavor, not by two, but by years of perpetual toil and labor. Climbers have more to contend with than those who sit still in the valley. Do you begin to weary, Marston?”
“Oh no; but the path is much rougher, and I slip backward instead of getting forward.”
“Now you see why I took this staff tipped with a sharp iron. It will help us when the way is slippery. Give me your hand; it is hard work, but nothing good is achieved without labor.”
At length we reached a cliff which, projecting boldly into our path, rose like a dark grey wall to bar our advance.
“What shall we do now?” I asked; “go back?”