They intended--once they should be assured that the cord was secure above--to make steps upon it, by inserting little pieces of wood between the "strands;" and these, which they could fix at long distances, one after the other, would form supports, upon which they might rest their feet in the ascent.
As we have said, all this had been settled beforehand; and no longer occupied their attention--now wholly absorbed in contriving some way to prove the reliability of the rope, upon which their lives were about to be imperilled.
It was not deemed sufficient to tie the rope to a tree, and pull upon it with all their united strength.

Karl and Caspar thought this would be a sufficient test; but Ossaroo was of a different opinion.

A better plan--according to the shikaree's way of thinking--was one which had generated in his oriental brain; and which, without heeding the remonstrances of the others, he proceeded to make trial of.

Taking one end of the rope with him, he climbed into a tall tree; and, after getting some way out on a horizontal branch--full fifty feet from the ground--he there fastened the cord securely.

By his directions the young sahibs laid hold below; and, both together, raising their feet from the ground, remained for some seconds suspended in the air.
As the rope showed no symptoms either of stretching or breaking under the weight of both, it was evident that it might, under any circumstances, be trusted to carry the weight of one; and in this confidence, the shikaree descended from the tree.
With the eagle carried under his right arm, and the coil of rope swinging over his left, Ossaroo now proceeded towards the place where the ladders rested against the cliff.