On
approaching the horrible chasm, a feeling of faintness
came over me, despite of the confidence with which I had
previously armed myself. This, however, was but momentary.
Sensible that every thing depended on rapidity of movement,
I paused not in my course; but, quickening my pace as I
gradually drew nearer, gave the necessary impetus to my
motion, and cleared the gap with a facility far exceeding
what had distinguished my first passage, and which was
the fruit of constant practice alone. Here my balance
was sustained by the pole; and at length I had the
inexpressible satisfaction to find myself at the very
extremity of the ridge, and immediately at the point
where I had left my companions in my first memorable
pursuit. Alas!" continued the warrior, again interrupting
himself with one of those fierce exclamations of impatient
anguish that so frequently occurred in his narrative,
"what subject for rejoicing was there in this? Better
far we had been dashed to pieces in the abyss, than I
should have lived to curse the hour when first my spirit
of adventure led me to traverse it." Again he resumed:--
"In the deep transport of my joy, I once more threw myself
on my knees in speechless thanksgiving to Providence for
the complete success of my undertaking.
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