He had carried his glance
downwards, following the 380 feet fall that must be the lot of the
adventurer. Then looking up again he shouted, "I see him! I see
him! Praise to St. Barbara! He is safe! He has caught by the
upright stone work."
"Where? where? Show me!" cried Wildschloss, grasping Ebbo's arm.
"There! clinging to that upright bit of tracery, stretching his foot
out to yonder crocket."
"I cannot see. Mine eyes swim and dazzle," said Wildschloss.
"Merciful heavens! is this another tempting of Providence? How is it
with him now, Ebbo?"
"Swarming down another slender bit of the stone network. It must be
easy now to one who could keep head and hand steady in such a shock."
"There!" added Friedel, after a breathless space, "he is on the lower
parapet, whence begins the stair. Do you know him, sir? Who is he?"
"Either a Venetian mountebank," said Wildschloss, "or else there is
only one man I know of either so foolhardy or so steady of head."
"Be he who he may," said Ebbo, "he is the bravest man that ever I
beheld.
Pages:
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303