igzag paths, not only for travellers, but for
themselves, in order that they may go up and down to their chalets and
pasturages. The people of the country have been making and improving
these paths now for two thousand years or more, and they have got them
at last in very excellent condition; so that, except the steepness, they
are very easy and very comfortable."

"Why, uncle George," said Rollo, "look!"

So saying, Rollo pointed his finger out over the water. The mountains
had suddenly and entirely disappeared. The vapors and clouds which they
had seen floating among them half an hour before had become dense and
continuous, and had, moreover, settled down over the whole face of the
country in such a manner as to shut out the mountains wholly from view.
Nothing was to be seen but the water of the lake, with a margin of low
and level but beautiful country along the shores of it.

In fact, there was nothing but the smallness of the steamer and the
costumes and character of the passengers to prevent Rollo and Mr. George
from supposing that they were steaming it from New York to Albany, up
the North River, in America.

CHAPTER VII.

INTERLACHEN.

About eight o'clock on the morning after our travellers arrived at
Interlachen Rollo awoke, and, rising from his bed, he walked to the
window and looked out, expecting to find before him a very grand
prospect of Alpine scenery; but there was nothing of the kind to be
seen.

Before the house was a garden, with a broad gravel walk leading out
through it to the road. On each side of this walk were parterres of
shrubbery and flowers. There were also two side approaches, wide enough
for roads. They came from the main road through great open gates, at a
little distance to the right and left of the hotel. The main road, which
was broad and perfectly level, extended in front of the house; and two
or three Swiss peasants, in strange costume, were passing by. Beyond
were green and level fields, with fruit and forest trees rising here and
there among them, forming a very rich and attractive landscape. The sky
was covered with clouds, though they were very fleecy and bright, and in
one place the sun seemed just ready to break through.

"I thought Interlachen was among the mountains," said Rollo to himself;
"and here I am in the middle of a flat plain.

"I will go and see uncle George," he continued after a moment's pause,
"and ask him what it means."

So Rollo opened the