# XX: The Adventure of the Ledge; and How I Shook Hands with My Comrade explained — The Splendid Spur

> Chapter companion for The Splendid Spur by Arthur Quiller-Couch.

## What happens

Jack and Matt Soames escape the burning Gleys, rescue Delia and the horses, and discover the fire was set with straw and oil jars. Jack later climbs a dangerous cliff ledge to retrieve a rope, nearly falling but succeeding. Delia plans to sail to Brittany on the Godsend with Billy Pottery, and she and Jack confess their love, exchanging tokens before she departs. Jack rides inland to rejoin the war.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Sacrifice

Jack and Delia confess their love but part ways, with Jack choosing to return to the war rather than flee with her.

### Deception and Truth

The fire at Gleys is revealed as arson, with oil jars and straw suggesting deliberate sabotage by Tingcomb or his allies.

### Friendship and Comradeship

Billy Pottery and the sailors work together to save Delia's belongings, and Matt Soames aids Jack throughout the escape.

## Character check-ins

### Jack Marvel

Narrates the chapter; rescues horses, climbs the cliff ledge, and bids farewell to Delia.

### Delia Killigrew

Escapes the fire, plans to sail to Brittany, confesses love to Jack and gives him her ring.

### Captain Billy Pottery

Helps Delia plan her escape, pulls Jack up from the cliff ledge.

### Matt Soames

Rides with Jack to Gleys, finds Jack's boots in the laurel bushes.

### Sammy

Black Sampson; wakes Delia during the fire and is mentioned as having woken the skipper.

### Ben Halliday

Finds two oil jars near the fire, indicating arson.

## Key lines

> I watch'd her standing in the stern and waving, till she was under the Godsend's side: then turn'd, and mounting Molly, rode inland to the wars.

Jack watched Delia wave from the boat until she reached the ship, then rode back to rejoin the fighting.

_Jack's farewell to Delia and return to the war._

> She laid her small hand in my big palm, and glancing up, said very pretty and demur— 'And shall I leave my best? Wilt not come, too, dear Jack?'

Delia placed her hand in Jack's and asked if he would come with her.

_Delia's invitation for Jack to join her escape._

> 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.

Jack remembered Delia's challenge, then jumped from the cliff ledge toward the rope.

_Jack's desperate leap to grab the rope._

## Links

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