I felt a thrill of delight tingle through me as the end settled softly over the end of the vague, distant spar.

I drew the cord taut and firm, not a sound breaking the intense stillness closing us in like a wall.

A heavy wooden post, with a pulley attachment, stood behind where we rested, probably fitted there for hauling up heavy bales of cotton.

Creeping back, I wound the slack of the rope about its base, drawing it as tight as possible, and then placed the end in the hands of the observant and wondering priest, who continued to creep after me like a shadow.
"Now all I expect of you is to hold hard on this rope until I get across on to the spar," I whispered.

"When I give three distinct jerks on the cord, then let loose of your end; but drop it slowly, mind you, _pere_, so I can draw it in without noise.