How he had got up so far, and managed to cut the ropes behind him, he never could explain.

But a man will do desperate feats for his life's sake.
It was no light task to dislodge him.

With my maimed arm I could not haul myself up the rigging even to the lower top-yard, much less carry up to him his dangling ladder.

All I could do was to hail him and bid him be of good cheer till we had him down.
"Cheer," he cried, "cometh not in a voice from the void, neither is there help in empty breath.

Come up, for I am weary of my perch; and verily, if the mountain come not to Mahomet, the prophet must abase himself to the mountain.