These they knotted firmly together--placing cross-pieces of pine branches in the knots--until they had made a raw-hide rope over one hundred feet in length! They now proceeded to a convenient point of the cliff--where a pine-tree grew near its edge--and tied one end of the new-made rope around the trunk.

To the other end they fastened Marengo, the three guns--for Francois had arrived upon the ground--and, along with these, a large stone--in order to test the strength of the rope before any of themselves should venture upon it.

All these things were now lowered down until they could see them resting upon the prairie below.
The rope was next made taut above; and the weight of the stone--which was too heavy for Marengo to move--kept all fast below.

Francois slipped down the rope first.

There was but little difficulty in his doing so; as the pieces of wood formed rests, or steps, that prevented him from sliding too fast.