One long survey to the left, then one to the right, satisfied his caution.
Leading the burros down to the spur of rock, he halted at the steep incline.
"Bess, here's the bad place, the place I told you about, with the cut steps.

You start down, leading your burro.

Take your time and hold on to him if you slip.

I've got a rope on him and a half-hitch on this point of rock, so I can let him down safely.

Coming up here was a killing job.
But it'll be easy going down." Both burros passed down the difficult stairs cut by the cliff-dwellers, and did it without a misstep.