Our company will search for us tomorrow; but they might search for a week without finding us here; and, as the army is advancing, they could not spare more than a day; so, if we are to get away, it must be by our own exertions." "I am ready to fight my way along this ledge, my lord, if such is your wish.

They cannot see us to fire at, and as only one man can stand abreast, their numbers would be of no avail to them." "Not on the ledge, Nessus; but they would hardly defend that.

No doubt they are grouped at the further end, and we should have to fight against overwhelming numbers.

No, that is not to be thought of.

The only way of escape I can think of would be to let ourselves down the precipice; but our bernouses would not make a rope long enough." "They would not reach a third of the distance," Nessus replied, shaking his head.