This was, of course, the most difficult and also the most dangerous part of his task.
"Don't make the slightest movement, Hulda!" he cried.

"If you should both slip while I am not in a position to break your fall you would both be killed." "You need not fear that, Joel!" replied Hulda.

"Think only of yourself, and may God help you!" Joel began to crawl slowly up the rock, dragging himself along on his belly like a veritable reptile.

Two or three times he narrowly escaped sliding down into the abyss below, but finally he succeeded in reaching the traveler's side.
The latter proved to be an elderly but still vigorous-looking man, with a handsome face, animated with a very genial and kindly expression.
"You have been guilty of a very imprudent act, sir," remarked Joel as soon as he recovered his breath.
"Imprudent!" repeated the traveler.

"Yes, and as absurd as it was imprudent." "You have not only risked your life, but--" "Made you risk yours." "Oh! that is my business," replied Joel, lightly.