Karl was no coward, although in calm blood the descent of the cliff had cowed him. But now that his blood was up, the danger of the descent appeared less; and, partly inspired by this belief, and partly urged on by the fear of Bruin reissuing from the cave, he determined once more to attempt it.
In an instant he was on his knees, and letting himself over the edge of the rock.
For the first length of himself, he succeeded beyond his expectations, having found the steps below readily enough. He was gaining confidence, and the belief that it would be all right yet, and that, in a few seconds more, he would be at the bottom, where he could soon escape from the bear by taking to a tree, or defend himself with his gun, which was lying, ready loaded, on the ground. All the while, he kept his face upward, except during the moments when it was necessary to glance below, to discover the position of the steps.
No wonder he looked upward, with eyes full of anxiety. Should the bear attack him now, a terrible fate would be his!
Still there were no signs of the animal, and Karl was gradually getting lower and lower in his descent.
He was yet scarce half-way down, and full twenty feet were between his heels and the ground, when he arrived at a point where he could find no resting-place for his feet. He had found one upon a knob of rock; but unfortunately it proved brittle and gave way, leaving him without any thing broad enough to rest even his toe upon. He had already shifted his hold with the hands; and was, therefore, compelled to support the whole weight of his body by the strength of his arms!
This was a terrible situation; and unless he could immediately get a rest for his feet, he must fall to the bottom of the cliff!
He struggled manfully; he spread out his toes as far as he could reach, feeling the rock on both sides.
Its face appeared smooth as glass; there was nothing that offered foothold; he believed that he was lost!
He tried to reach the notches above him; first with one hand, then with the other. He could just touch, but not grasp them; he could not go up again; he believed that he was lost!