A cherished underskirt, ripped ruthlessly from waistband to ruffle, making one broad white flag of the finest texture, was her offering.
"Use that, Hugh." She could not resist smiling as she pointed to it.
"It will be the very thing," he said, arising and taking the garment from the ground somewhat carefully.
"It won't hurt you," she said, laughing frankly; whereupon he waved it rudely above his head and pointed to the pinnacle of the rock.
"With this I shall scale the rock and skirt the bay!" Within ten minutes he was on his way up the incline, carrying his stout stick in his hand, another heavier and stronger one being bound to his back with the white signal attached.

She accompanied him to the point where the ascent became difficult and full of danger.
"Be careful, Hugh," she said; "it looks so dangerous.

If you find there is any possibility of falling, don't attempt to go to the top.

You are so daring, you Americans, that you do not recognize peril at all Promise me, or I shall not allow you to go on." He looked down into her serious upturned eyes and promised.

Then he resumed the ascent, with a queer flutter of adulation in his heart.
From time to time he paused to rest.