They could have made it of ample thickness and strength, so as to secure against the accident of its breaking.

But then, on the opposite hand, arose the difficulty as to the strength of the eagle's wing.

Should the rope prove too heavy for the bearcoot to carry over the top of the cliff, then all their labour would be in vain.
"Why not ascertain this fact before making the rope ?" This was a suggestion of Karl himself.
"But how are we to do it ?" was the rejoinder of Caspar.
"I think we can manage the matter," said the botanist, apparently busying his brain with some profound calculation.
"I can't think of a way myself," replied Caspar, looking inquiringly at his brother.
"I fancy I can," said Karl.

"What is to hinder us to ascertain the weight of the rope before making it, and also decide as to whether the bird can carry so much ?" "But how are you to weigh the rope until it is made?
You know it's the trouble of making it we wish to avoid--that is, should it prove useless afterwards." "Oh! as for that," rejoined Karl, "it is not necessary to have it finished to find out what weight it would be.

We know pretty near the length that will be needed, and by weighing a piece of that already in our hands, we can calculate for any given length." "You forget, brother Karl, that we have no means of weighing, even the smallest piece.