They were in hopes that he might continue to descend in this fashion for a few yards further, and then the danger would be over; but, just at that moment, the broad breast of the kite was seen poising itself over the top of the cliff; and like a great living bird, it sprang off from the rocks, and soared out over the valley! Ossaroo, still clinging to the cord, was carried some distance from the cliff; but, fortunately for him, the weight of his body overbalanced the resistance which the atmosphere offered to the broad surface of the kite; else he might have been carried much higher into the air.

Equally fortunate was it, that the amount of overbalance was exceedingly slight--otherwise he might have been dashed with violence to the earth! As it was, he came down as gently as a dove, alighting upon his legs, and remaining erect upon them, like Mercury upon the top of his "sky-kissing mountain." The moment that the shikaree felt his feet touching _terra firma_, he sprang nimbly to one side, at the same instant letting go the rope, as if it had been a rod of red-hot iron! The great kite, no longer held in poise against the wind, commenced darting hither and thither; at each turn descending lower and lower-- until by one last swoop, in which it seemed to concentrate all its failing strength, it came down towards Ossaroo like a gigantic bird of prey descending upon its victim! It was just as much as the shikaree could do to get out of the way; and, had he not ducked his head in the very nick of time, he would certainly have received a blow upon his skull, that would have endangered its entirety..