He had no difficulty, therefore, in balancing himself upon the sticks, which he had already attached; nor ascending from one to the other, as each was got into its place.

In this way he proceeded, until the stock which he had taken up with him was exhausted, and his apron hung empty.

Then, letting himself down from step to step, and cautiously returning to the wooden ladder, he descended to the bottom of the cliff.
Karl or Caspar might have rendered his coming down unnecessary, as either could have carried so light a "hod" up the ladder; but there was good reason why Ossaroo should make the descent--that was, to rest and refresh himself.
He did not remain very long below--just long enough to let the blood circulate along the soles of his naked feet--and then, with his apron distended--being once more full of sticks--he reclimbed the ladder, swung himself out upon the cord, and clambered up the steps he had already fixed in their places.
His second stock of sticks becoming exhausted as the first, he again revisited the earth; again allowed himself an interval of rest; and then ascended as before.
With Ossaroo proceeding in this fashion, the remainder of the day was spent--a long interval being allowed for dinner; which Karl and Caspar, having nothing else to do, had cooked with extra care.

They did not go home to the hut to perform their culinary operations.

There would have been no advantage in doing so: since the kitchen accommodation there was not a whit better than where they were at work; and the larder contained nothing more than what they had brought along with them--some dried ibex-meat.