A. T. Quiller-Couch

Name: The Splendid Spur — Chapter 20
Author: A. T. Quiller-Couch

The Splendid Spur — Chapter 20 (1914)

Summary

“The Splendid Spur — Chapter 20”, published in 1914, is a work by A. T. Quiller-Couch. It explores elements such as cliff, ledge and rope.

Quotes from The Splendid Spur — Chapter 20 (A. T. Quiller-Couch)

A. T. Quiller-Couch, The Splendid Spur — Chapter 20 (1914)

“ Without speech we stepp'd across the turf, he a pace or two ahead. A night-breeze was blowing here, delicious after the heat of the fire. We were walking quickly toward the east side of the headland, and soon the blaze behind flung our shadows right to the cliff's edge, for which Billy made straight, as if to fling himself over.
But when, at the very verge, he pull'd up, I became enlighten'd. At our feet was an iron bar driven into the soil, and to it a stout rope knotted, that ran over a block and disappeared down the cliff. ”

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Source: Wikisource

A. T. Quiller-Couch, The Splendid Spur — Chapter 20 (1914)

“ With my legs planted firm, I flogg'd away like a madman; and like mad creatures the horses tore upward.
On the summit a glance show'd us all—the wild crimson'd sky—the sea running with lines of fire—and against it the inky headland whereon the House of Gleys flar'd like a beacon. Already from one wing—our wing—a leaping column of flame whirl'd up through the roof, and was swept seaward in smoke and sparks. I mark'd the coast-line, the cliff-tracks, the masts and hull of the Godsend standing out, clear as day ”

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Source: Wikisource

A. T. Quiller-Couch, The Splendid Spur — Chapter 20 (1914)

“ I call'd up Delia's face as she had taunted me. I bent my knees, and, leaving my hold of the rock, sprang forward—out, over the sea.
I saw it twinkle, fathoms below. My right hand touch'd—grasp'd the rope: then my left, as I swung far out upon it. I slipt an inch—three inches—then held, swaying wildly. My foot was in the noose. I heard a shout above: and, as I dropp'd to a sitting posture, the rope began to rise.
“Quick! Oh, Billy, pull quick!”
He could not hear; yet tugg'd like a Trojan.
“Now, here's a time to keep a man sittin'!” ”

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Source: Wikisource

A. T. Quiller-Couch, The Splendid Spur — Chapter 20 (1914)

“ All the way I kept shouting: and so, for half an hour, inch by inch, shuffled forward, until I stood under the rope. Then I had to turn again.
The rock, tho' still overarching, here press'd out less than before: so that, working round on the ball of my foot, I managed pretty easily. But how to get the rope? As I said, it hung a good yard beyond the ledge, the noose dangling some two feet below it. With my finger-tips against the cliff, I lean'd out and clutch'd at it. I miss'd it by a foot. “Shall I jump?” thought I, “or bide here till help comes?” ”

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Source: Wikisource

A. T. Quiller-Couch, The Splendid Spur — Chapter 20 (1914)

“ Close on my left the ledge was broke back to the very base, cutting me off by twelve feet from that part where the ladder still rested. No man could jump it, standing. To the right there was no gap: but in one place only was the footing over ten inches wide, and at the end my rope hung over the sea, a good yard away from the edge. ”

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Source: Wikisource

A. T. Quiller-Couch, The Splendid Spur — Chapter 20 (1914)

“ A man wi' a limp foot—went over the side like a cat.”
I must have appeared to doubt this good fortune, for he added—
“'Be a truth-speakin' man i' the main, Jack—'lay over 'pon my belly, and spied a ledge—fifty feet down or less—'reckon there be a way thence to the foot. Dear, now! what a rampin', tearin' sweat is this?”
For, fast as I could tug, I was hauling up the rope. Near sixty feet came up before I reach'd the end—a thick twisted knot. I rove a long noose; pull'd it over my head and shoulders, and made Billy understand he was to lower me. ”

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Source: Wikisource

A. T. Quiller-Couch, The Splendid Spur — Chapter 20 (1914)

“ At the bottom we caught up a group of men running. 'Twas a boatload come from the ship to help. As our horses swept past them, one or two came to a terrified halt; but presently were running hard again after us. ”

A. T. Quiller-Couch

Summary

Quotes from The Splendid Spur — Chapter 20 (A. T. Quiller-Couch)

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