There was a chance--all acknowledged that.
The bird, in fluttering over the mountain to make its escape, might entangle the rope around a rock, or some sharp angle of the frozen snow.
There was a chance, which could be determined by trying, and only by trying; and there were certain probabilities in favour of success.
The first difficulty--that relating to the strength and weight of the rope--admitted of rational discussion and calculation.

There were _data_ to go upon, and others that might be decided conjecturally, yet sufficiently near the truth for all preliminary purposes.

They could tell pretty nearly what stoutness of rope it would take to _hang_ any one of them; and this would be strong enough to carry them up the cliff.
The strength of the eagle might also be presumed pretty nearly; and there was no doubt but that the bearcoot would do his very best to get out of the valley.

After the rough handling he had already experienced, he would not require any further stimulus to call forth his very utmost exertions.
On discussing the subject in its different bearings, it soon became evident to all, that the matter of supreme importance would be the making of the rope.

Could this be manufactured of sufficient fineness not to overburden the bearcoot, and yet be strong enough to sustain the weight of a man, the first difficulty would be got over.