And although, before that terrible passage was ended, I heard five more groans and as many more crashes on the rocks below, I managed to keep my own footing, till at last, with my head in a whirl, I stood beside Ludar on a broader, straighter ledge, within a dozen feet of the cliff-top.
Ludar was pale, and his breath came and went hard, as he made room for me beside him.

He too had heard those terrible crashes.
"That path," said he, "is easier passed by a boy than a man.

Had I known what it would cost us-- Yet, come on now!" There was indeed no time to tarry, for the men behind--all that were left of them--came up, and we must perforce move forward to make them room.
Now, once more we heard the guns above, and a mighty shouting on the far side of the Castle.

But, towards us, all frowned black and solitary.
The short distance yet to climb compared with what we had passed, was easy.

For, steep as it was and often overhanging the sea, the rock here was rough and dry, and our feet held fast.