That way you can rest as long as you like, and then go on again.

You say you can go down a rope with your hands only.
I should advise you to do that, if you can, and not to use your legs unless you want to sit down on one of the long steps; for, as you know, if you use your feet the rope will go in till they are almost level with your head; while, if you use your arms only, it will hang straight down." "I know, Father.

And I don't suppose I shall have to rest at all, for these cross sticks make it ten times as easy as having to grip the rope only." Dick laid himself down as Surajah had done, and crawled backwards until he was lying half over the edge.

Then he seized the rope and began to descend, hand over hand.

He counted the rungs as he went down, and half way he sat down on one of the long pieces, hitched the hooks on to the one above, and rested his arms.