As he stretched his neck farther and farther down, I saw that he was bending his forelegs.

His shoulders sank more and more.

There was nothing between me and the sea-level except the mule's ears.

By frantic exertions I worked myself backward, and was sliding down behind--too late.

The bush broke, causing the mule to fall back forcibly against the inner bank, with myself sandwiched between the adamantine wall of the mountain and the well-shod heels of the mule.