The bed-post served to secure one end; the other I dropped down the interior of the chimney.

A glance from the window exhibited a double line of canvas-covered wagons creaking past, mules toiling wearily in the traces, under close guard of a squad of infantry.

The judge and the girl were still outside.

I was back instantly, and clambered recklessly into the hole.
I went down slowly, clinging desperately to the twisted sheets, unable to gain the slightest purchase on the smoothly plastered side walls.

My fingers slipped, but I managed to hang on until I reached the very end of my improvised rope, my feet dangling, my arms aching from the weight.
To hold on longer was seemingly impossible, yet I could neither see nor feel bottom.