Slagar reaches the Abyss and forces the slaves across a rope bridge, cutting it away behind him. There is now no way for Matthias to pursue him. A full day and night behind the pursuers arrive at the abyss and are stopped dead, until Sir Harry comes to their rescue by retrieving enough rope to cross the bottomless gorge. Ahead of Mattimeo and the slaves are the Badger head and the Bell rocks in a silent, lifeless wasteland-- ominous portents which scare even Slagar and his band. The terrible journey is approaching its climax.