Deeply conscious of a life long ago irretrievably wrecked, everything behind a chaos, everything before worthless,--for years he had been actually seeking death; a hundred times he had gladly marked its apparent approach, a smile of welcome upon his lips.

Yet it had never quite succeeded in reaching him, and nothing had been gained beyond a reputation for cool, reckless daring, which he did not in the least covet.

But now, miracle of all miracles, just as the end seemed actually attained, seemed beyond any possibility of being turned aside, he began to experience a desire to live--he wanted to save this girl.
His keenly observant eyes, trained by the exigencies of his trade to take note of small things, and rendered eager by this newly awakened ambition, scanned the cliff towering above them.

He perceived the extreme irregularity of its front, and numerous peculiarities of formation which had escaped him hitherto.

Suddenly his puzzled face brightened to the birth of an idea.