One of the young bear's skins was fastened round and round it at the point where it crossed the edge of the rocky platform, to prevent it from being cut when the weight was put upon it, and they then prepared for their descent.
"Do you go first," Malchus said.

"As soon as I feel that the rope is loose, I will follow you." The Arab swung himself off the edge, and in a very short time Malchus felt the rope slacken.

He followed at once.

The first twenty feet the descent was absolutely perpendicular, but after that the rock inclined outward in a steep but pretty regular slope.

Malchus was no longer hanging by the rope; but throwing the principal portion of his weight still upon it, and placing his feet on the inequalities of the rock, he made his way down without difficulty.