coming up this
way."

"Not a speck," said Dale, rinsing his pan in the pure water.

"Will the herr try again?"

"No, not here," replied Dale. "Let's get on: I'm wasting time."

"No," said Melchior; "the herr is making his researches into the wonders
of Nature. It cannot be waste of time."

"Well, no, I suppose not, my man. It is all learning. But what was the
mule whinnying about!"

"I don't know," replied the guide in a peculiar tone. "It seemed to me
that some one he knew was following us."

"What for?" said Dale.

"Ah! that I don't know, sir. From curiosity, perhaps."

"But there is no one who could come but old Andregg; and he would not,
surely?"

"No, sir; he is too simple and honest to follow us, unless it were to
make sure that we were behaving well to his mule. It must have been
that. The animal heard or smelt him, and challenged."

"But you would have seen him, Melchior."

"I might, sir, but perhaps not. There are plenty of places where a man
might hide who did not wish to be seen."

"I say, young man," said Dale, "have you a great love for the
mysterious?"

"I do not understand you, herr."

"I mean, are you disposed to fancy things, and imagine troubles where
there are none?"

"No, herr; I think I am rather dull," said the guide modestly. "Why do
you ask?"

"Because that mule made a noise, and you instantly imagined that we were
being followed and watched."

"Oh, that! Yes, herr. Our people are curious. Years ago we used to go
on quietly tending our cows and goats in the valleys, and driving them
up to the huts on the mountains when the snow melted. There were the
great stocks and horns and spitzes towering up, covered with eternal
snow, and we gazed at them with awe. Then you Englishmen came, and
wanted to go up and up where the foot of man never before stepped; and
even our most daring chamois hunters watched you all with wonder."

"Yes, I suppose so," said Dale, smiling, as he looked in the guide's
frank face.

"You wanted guides to the mountains, and we showed you the way, while
you taught us that we could climb too, and could be as cool and daring.
We did not know it before, and we had to get over our suspicions. For
we said, `these strangers must want to find something in the mountains--
something that will pay them for the risk they run in climbing up to the
places where the demons of the storm dwell, and who wait to hurl down
stones and dart lightning at the