I began to be light-headed and to be tempted to let go,--now arguing that I was certainly arrived within a few feet of the level and could safely risk a fall, anon persuaded I was still close at the top and it was idle to continue longer on the rock.

In the midst of which I came to a bearing on plain ground, and had nearly wept aloud.

My hands were as good as flayed, my courage entirely exhausted, and, what with the long strain and the sudden relief, my limbs shook under me with more than the violence of ague, and I was glad to cling to the rope.
But this was no time to give way.

I had (by God's single mercy) got myself alive out of that fortress; and now I had to try to get the others, my comrades.

There was about a fathom of rope to spare; I got it by the end, and searched the whole ground thoroughly for anything to make it fast to.