Every hour will be taking the strength out of us.

I only came down for the bowie to make a beginning.

I'll make trial at it first, and then we can take turn and turn about." Provided with his knife, the Kentuckian again climbed up; and soon after the guide heard a crinkling sound, succeeded by the rattling of pieces of rock, as they got detached and came showering down.
To save his crown, now uncovered by the loss of both kerchief and cap, he crept back into the alcove that had originally protected them from the stones cast in by the Indians.

Along with the splinters something else came past Walt's face, making a soft, rustling sound; it had a smell also that told what it was--the "cussed stink-weed." From the falling fragments, their size and number, he could tell that his comrade was making good way.
Walt longed to relieve him at his work, and called up a request to this end; but Hamersley returned a refusal, speaking in a cautious tone, lest his voice might be borne out to the ear of some savage still lingering near.
For over an hour Wilder waited below, now and then casting impatient glances upward.

They were only mechanical; for, of course, he could see nothing.