When he was in the exact middle of the passage, however, the end of one of the uprights of the ladder at the farther side slipped a little, notwithstanding the efforts of Japhet to keep it straight, with the result that the plank bound on the rungs lost its level, sinking an inch or so to the right, and nearly causing Oliver to fall from it into the gulf.

He wavered like a wind-shaken reed, attempted to step forward, hesitated, stopped, and slowly sank on to his hands and knees.
"_Ah_!" panted Maqueda.
"The Gentile has lost his head," began Joshua in a voice full of the triumph that he could not hide.

"He--will----" Joshua got no further, for Quick, turning, threatened him savagely with his fist, saying in English: "Stow your jaw if you don't want to follow him, you swine," whereon Joshua, who understood the gesture, if not the words, relapsed into silence.
Now the Mountaineer on the farther side spoke, saying: "Have no fear, the ladder is safe." For a moment Oliver remained in his crouching posture on the board, which was all that separated him from an awful death in the gulf beneath.

Next, while we watched, agonized, he rose to his feet again, and with perfect calmness walked across to its other end.
"Well done our side!" said Quick, addressing Joshua, "why don't your Royal Highness cheer?
No, you leave that knife alone, or presently there'll be a hog the less in this world," and stooping down he relieved the Prince of the weapon which he was fingering with his round eyes fixed upon the Sergeant.
Maqueda, who had noted all, now interfered.
"My uncle," she said, "brave men are risking their lives yonder while we sit in safety.

Be silent and cease from quarrelling, I pray you." Next moment we had forgotten all about Joshua, being utterly absorbed in watching the drama in progress upon the farther side of the gulf.