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AN ADVENTURE WITH A SHARK 75
and the minute we had done hastened back to the scene of our labours.
The first thing I did toward the building of the bridge was to fasten one of the planks to the trunk of the tree, of which I have already spoken, by a strong cord; I then fastened a second cord to the other end of the plank, and tying a stone to it flung it to the opposite bank. I next crossed the river, taking with me a pulley, which I tied to a tree ; I passed my second cord, that which had the stone fastened to it, through the pulley, and recrossing the river with this cord in my hand, I harnessed the ass and cow to the end of it, then drove the animals from the bank of the river. As they moved away the cord ran through the pulley on the further river bank and drew across the water the end of the plank attached to it. Presently, to my great joy, I saw it touch the other side. In a moment Fritz and Jack leaped upon it and crossed the stream upon this narrow but effective bridge.
The first timber being thus laid, a second and a third were fixed with the greatest ease. Fritz and I, standing on opposite sides of the river, placed them at such distances from each other as was necessary to form a broad and handsome bridge; what now remained to be done was to lay some |
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