In spite of themselves an expression of this fear escaped them, and came to the ears of the foreign gentleman.

He turned at once on the brink of the descent, and burst into a torrent of invective against them.

The ladies could not understand him, but they could perceive that he was uttering threats, and that the men quailed before him.

He did not waste any time, however.

After reducing the men to a state of sulky submission, he turned once more and began the descent.
As he went down the rope was held by the men, who allowed it to pass through their hands so as to steady his descent.