Then more went out.

Then it stopped again.
The rope now lay quite loose.

There was no tension.
What was the meaning of this?
Was he clinging to the side of the precipice?
Impossible.

It looked rather as though he had reached some place where he was free to move, and had no further need of descent.
And it seemed as though the precipice might not be so deep or so fearful as they had supposed.
In a short time their eyes were greeted by the appearance of the stranger above the precipice.

He waved his hat again.