I lowered the stone; he took it, waved his hand to me, and was gone.
"An hour passed: it seemed an age.

The round shots still rang overhead, and the fire was now much more heavy and sustained than before.
Presently I again saw a movement in the jungle, and Norworthy's face appeared, and he waved his arm in greeting.
"Five minutes more and a party were gathered at the foot of the rock, and a strong rope was tied to the cloth.

I pulled it up.

A rope ladder was attached to it, and the top rung was in a minute or two in my hands.
To it was tied a piece of paper with the words: 'Can you fasten the ladder ?' I wrote on the paper: 'No; but I can hold it for a light weight.' "I put the paper with a stone in the end of the cloth, and lowered it again.

Then I sat down, tied the rope round my waist, got my feet against two projections, and waited.