Naturally muscular and active, with all his nerves in superb control, the effort was trifling.

Within less time than would be supposed he had climbed fully fifty feet without meeting with any difficulty.

Then the first thrill of alarm shot through him as one foot slipped and he narrowly missed falling.
He found a good place to rest, and immediately adopted a sensible precaution.

Removing both shoes, he tied the strings together and slung them over his shoulder, with the fastening under his chin.

This would make it rough for his stockinged feet, but it was worth it all.