Stanley remained where he was until Meinik returned, in half an hour, with the rope.

Stanley made a loop at one end; and then knotted it, at distances of about a foot apart, to enable him to climb it more easily.

Then they waited until the guard fire burnt down low, and most of the men went off into a hut a few yards distant, three only remaining talking before the fire.

Then Stanley moved round to the other side of the palisade and, choosing a spot immediately behind the hut where the sentries were posted, threw up the rope.

It needed many attempts before the loop caught at the top of one of the bamboos.