A young moon was already up, giving sufficient light to aid the enterprise.

Some of the most active of the natives first ascended.
These were provided with ropes which, at every bend and turn of the ascent, they lowered so as to give assistance to those mounting behind.

The strictest silence was enforced, and the arms were all wrapped up, so as to avoid noise should they strike the rock.
One by one the men mounted, in a steady stream.

All were barefooted, for Ned and Gerald had imitated the example of the natives; and upon such a task as this, the bare foot has an infinitely safer hold than one shod with leather.

Although the cliff looked quite precipitous, from a distance; in reality it sloped gently backwards, and the task was far less difficult than it appeared to be.
The most dangerous part, indeed, was that which followed the arrival at the top.