'You don't know Balzac, my friend,' went on the young man in a
conversational tone, 'or I would tell you that, like Rastignac, war
is declared between ourselves and society; but if you have not the
knowledge you have the will, and that is enough for me. Come, let us
make the first step towards our wealth;' and without casting a
glance behind him, he turned and walked towards the nearest
headland, followed by the dumb man with bent head and slouching
gait.
The rain and wind had been at work on this promontory, and their
combined action had broken off great masses of rock, which lay in
rugged confusion at the base. This offered painful but secure
foothold, and the two adventurers, with much labour--for they were
weak with the privations endured on the voyage from New Caledonia--
managed to climb half way up the cliff, when they stopped to take
breath and look around them. They were now in a perilous position,
for, hanging as they were on a narrow ledge of rock midway between
earth and sky, the least slip would have cost them their lives. The
great mass of rock which frowned above them was nearly
perpendicular, yet offered here and there certain facilities for
climbing, though to do so looked like certain death. The men,
however, were quite reckless, and knew if they could get to the top
they would be safe, so they determined to attempt the rest of the
ascent.
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