ng to the right now, and keeping near the deep gully along which
the river ran, Bracy sought for a spot where they could cross to the far
side, and before long they came upon a rock-strewn part opposite to
where another of the several streams joined it from the east. Here,
with a little careful balancing and stepping from stone to stone, they
had not much difficulty in crossing to the other side; where, the minor
affluent being also crossed, their course was directed up its right bank
to the north and east. The side of the little ravine being surmounted,
a far wider scope of view was obtained, the mountain before hidden in
clouds now showing its crest in the coming sun; and, satisfied as to the
course he was to take, and marking it down by the little pocket-compass
he carried, Bracy pointed to a sheltered spot amongst some scrub pine,
and a halt was made for a short time for the promised breakfast.

Nothing could have been more simple, nothing more delicious. For the
glorious mountain air gave a wonderful zest to everything; and in about
a quarter of an hour they were ready to resume their journey, refreshed,
in high spirits, and with their task in the bright morning sunshine,
which glorified the wondrous panorama of snow-peaks, seeming to assume
the aspect of a holiday trip.

"I'll take one look round first," said Bracy, "in case our friends of
yesterday are anywhere upon our track;" and, before exposing himself, he
drew out the little glass he had brought, and swept the sides of the
valley they had ascended, then slowly turned his glass upon the ridge
they had gained, following it to where it joined the main valley, and
afterwards turned from the varied panorama of grassy upland forest and
rock, over the boundary-line to where to his right all was snow--pure
white snow, which looked deliciously soft, and sparked with a million
rays.

"All seems clear, Gedge," he said at last. "So let us start. That is
to be our resting-place to-night, or as near to it as we can get."

"That mountain with a big point and a little un, sir?"

"Yes."

"Don't seem half a day's journey, sir. Everything's so clear that
things look close to yer. But I know better now. Ready, sir?"

"We'll keep a little to the left, so as to get nearer to the snow, and
where it seems easy walking we'll take to it; but for the most part I
shall keep to the division-line between the snow and the scrubby growth.
It will be rough travelling; but we