He was awaiting one of two events, either the appearance of a vertical well opening before his feet, down which our descent might be resumed, or that of some obstacle which should effectually turn us back on our own footsteps.
Il attendait deux choses: ou qu'un puits vertical vînt à s'ouvrir sous ses pieds et lui permettre de reprendre sa descente; ou qu'un obstacle l'empêchât de continuer cette route.