A boat crosses Niagara immediately at the foot of the falls,where the water is quite still,the fallen mass curving under it.
We are in precisely the same position with regard to our atmospheric cataract here.If you run back from the cliff fifty yards,you will be in a brisk wind.Now I daresay over the bank is a little backward current.
Knight rose and leant over the bank.No sooner was his head above it than his hat appeared to be sucked from his head--slipping over his forehead in a seaward direction.
Thats the backward eddy,as I told you,he cried,and vanished over the little bank after his hat.
Elfride waited one minute;he did not return.She waited another,and there was no sign of him.
A few drops of rain fell,then a sudden shower.
She arose,and looked over the bank.On the other side were two or three yards of level ground--then a short steep preparatory slope--then the verge of the precipice.
On the slope was Knight,his hat on his head.He was on his hands and knees,trying to climb back to the level ground.The rain had wetted the shaly surface of the incline.A slight superficial wetting of the soil hereabout made it far more slippery to stand on than the same soil thoroughly drenched.The inner substance was still hard,and was lubricated by the moistened film.
I find a difficulty in getting back,said Knight.
Elfrides heart fell like lead.
But you can get back?she wildly inquired.
Knight strove with all his might for two or three minutes,and the drops of perspiration began to bead his brow.
No,I am unable to do it,he answered.
Elfride,by a wrench of thought,forced away from her mind the sensation that Knight was in bodily danger.But attempt to help him she must.She ventured upon the treacherous incline,propped herself with the closed telescope,and gave him her hand before he saw her movements.