At that same moment, I saw a mule's head appear with ears thrown back in terror, then the rest of its body, and upon its back a lady ready to fall into the abyss.

Fright paralyzed me.

All aid was impossible on account of the narrowness of the road, and this stranger's life depended upon her coolness and the intelligence of her beast.

Finally the animal seemed to regain its courage and began to walk away, lowering its head as if it could still hear the terrible whistle of the javelin in his ears.
I slipped from the rock upon which I stood and seized the mule by the bridle, and succeeded in getting them out of a bad position.

I led the animal in this way for some distance, until I reached a place where the path was broader, and danger was over.
"I then offered my apologies to the person whose life I had just compromised by my imprudence, and for the first time took a good look at her.