ered his tent to be set up without delay.
For even at times of despondency and ill-health, the man possessed his
full share of that 'outward-going force' which is the hall-mark of the
Scottish race; and the instant books and maps were available, he sat
down, filled a pipe from his dwindling store of tobacco, and proceeded
to look out possible alternatives should the worst befall.

There were two: desperate resources both, yet one degree better than
imprisonment in the Yarkhun valley till it pleased the snows to melt.
They could follow the course of the river to Chitral,--no Frontier
outpost then, but an independent Native State; or work their way, by
faith and courage, through the wild Swat country to the Punjab. The
state of both routes was unknown; the question of supplies a hopeless
one; and amid a chaos of uncertainties, bad weather was the one thing
that might safely be counted on in October. To crown all, their line
of communication must, in either case, be broken. They would be lost
to the outside world for many days, if not weeks; and apart from
consideration for his wife, Lenox was the last man to enjoy creating a
temporary excitement at headquarters.

None the less, after thinking himself into a blinding headache, he
decided to face the Chitral route, if snow fell, and if Zyarulla
brought no better news about the pass. Then, because his last cup of
tea was being held in reserve for breakfast, he contented himself with
goat's milk, a slab of chocolate, and native biscuits that served him
for bread.

It was late before Zyarulla returned, with a companion,--a native from
Yasin, on the Indian side of the Pass.

"This man, Sahib, hath even now crossed over from Darkot village," the
Pathan explained, indicating the wizened leader of a forlorn hope with
the air of a showman exhibiting a curiosity. "He came to fetch the
remains of his sister, who died in this valley, that she may be buried
among her own people. I have therefore engaged him as guide, to take
the Sahib over on his return."

"The thing can be done?" Lenox asked, with an eagerness not to be
repressed; and the small man bowed his head upon his hands.

"Allah alone can answer the question of the Heaven-born. For one man
to travel safely among glaciers and crevasses without number, it was no
easy matter--and as for a company of men and ponies, how can this slave
tell? Nevertheless, if the Sahib wills, and there is no snow before
morning, I go