for a moment I rose. I was succeeding, but the ropes stopped me. I sank,my face slipped of the rock,and I swung from side to side. this could not last. the pain was great. My strength was gone. In a minute I must let go and fall to die. Then I had a wild idea. Perhaps the smugglers,less cruel than I thought,were nearby,watching me,ready to save me after all. Surely,surely,it must be like that. I tried the hard to cry to them for help, to shout. My mouth was covered up. I could not speak a word. I let go. But no rush,no quick fall into the air followed. My feet sang only a few inches,and then touched the ground! It was no dream! Everything became black,and I fell to the earth.