But this remained unproven.

And then there was the new chance that a fallen block had left a breach in the rocky wall.
"At last," said Mr.Smith to me, after lighting the first pipe of the twenty or more which he smoked each day, "we are well started.

As to whether the ascent will take more or less time--" "In any case, Mr.Smith," interrupted I, "you and I are fully resolved to pursue our quest to the end." "Fully resolved, Mr.Strock." "My chief has charged me to snatch the secret from this demon of the Great Eyrie." "We will snatch it from him, willing or unwilling," vowed Mr.Smith, calling Heaven to witness.

"Even if we have to search the very bowels of the mountain." "As it may happen, then," said I, "that our excursion will be prolonged beyond today, it will be well to look to our provisions." "Be easy, Mr.Strock; our guides have food for two days in their knapsacks, besides what we carry ourselves.

Moreover, though I left my brave Nisko at the farm, I have my gun.