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No, that was not the reason; but simply that Karl more clearly comprehended the danger in which the shikaree was placed. After watching the efforts of the elephant for a short time, Caspar had become convinced that the animal could not reach Ossaroo so long as the latter preserved his balance upon the summit of the rock.
In an instant afterwards, it was seen resting on a spur-like projection of the trunk, just below the aperture; and it needed not Ossaroo to tell them that it was the cock hornbill that had there alighted.
Karl had a piece of blazing torch in his hand; Caspar held one of the stay-ropes, to prevent the balloon from rising too rapidly; while Ossaroo, equipped as if for a journey, stood by the hamper, in readiness, when the proper time should arrive, to "pack" himself into it. Alas! for the frailty of all human foresight!
He had noticed that, each time as the elephant erected himself against the obelisk, the rock seemed slightly to shake. Ossaroo was himself well aware of the circumstance and more troubled at it than any of them for it rendered it more difficult for him to preserve his equilibrium.
Even had there been no prospect of assistance from any one outside, it would not matter very much. If only one of them could get to the top of the cliffs, they could construct a rope-ladder of themselves by which the other two would be able to make the ascent. It is hardly necessary to say who was to make the attempt Ossaroo was to be the aeronaut.
Of course darkness put an end to his operations for that day; and with the intention of continuing them on the morrow, both the operator and spectators wended their way back to the hut Karl and Caspar showing as much respect to Ossaroo, as if he had been the master architect, and they only his assistants or labourers.
Beyond a doubt the bearcoot was in a bad fix; and, although it was soon relieved from its tether of poshm, it was only to find itself more securely tied by a stronger string taken out of the pocket of Ossaroo.
Instead of soaring upwards, the eagle struck out in a horizontal direction, not changing its course till it had reached the end of its tether; and then not changing it, nor even pausing in its flight, but with the fifty yards of rope trailing behind it which, fortunately for Ossaroo, he was himself no longer at the end of it continued on across the valley towards the cliffs on the opposite side the summit of which it would have no difficulty in attaining by following the diagonal line in which it was making that unexpected escape from the clutches of the shikaree.
As Ossaroo hung upon the rope half-way up the precipice, the wind acting upon his body, carried him at times several feet out from the face of the cliff causing him also to oscillate violently from side to side, notwithstanding that the rope was fast at both ends. It was fearful to look at him thus suspended, and swinging in mid-air.
Placing it nearly parallel with the rope, Ossaroo mounted up; and, when near its top, commenced attaching the steps. He had carried up along with him about a dozen of the little sticks, with cords to correspond in a sort of pouch, which he had formed with the skirts of his cotton tunic.
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