of a push, herr."

"But tell us--we thought you were drowned in that awful place."

"Yes, it was bad," said Melchior, quite calmly. "It is so swift and the
water so full of air that you cannot swim, and one was turned about so
and rolled over, but I held on to Gros here, and it did not take long
before we were through."

"But your breath? Did you keep on the surface?" said Dale.

"I don't know, herr. It was all darkness and confusion; but we were
rolled up against the rock sometimes, and I managed to get my breath.
Then we were driven on and on very fast. You see the rock is worn so
smooth, there is nothing against which you can catch. The stones swept
down by the water have worn that all away, and one goes quite quick,
holding one's breath, till one is shot out as if from a gun, and the
water gets smoother. Then we got our breath easily, and Gros here began
to swim while I held on by his mane; but we had to go a long way down
before there was a place for the mule to land."

"But do you mean to tell me," cried Dale, "that you both came through
that horrible place and are none the worse for it?"

The guide smiled.

"Well, herr," he said, "I am very wet, and there were moments when I
thought I could not hold my breath any longer, but there are no bones
broken and no cuts or grazes."

"Then there is nothing else the matter with you?" cried Saxe.

"Well, yes, herr; I am very hungry."

"Hungry!" cried Saxe excitedly. "Yes, of course: I'd forgotten; so am
I. Here, Mr Dale, let you and me go and get the basket whilst he dries
himself in the sun."

"No, no," cried Melchior firmly, "neither of you could carry that
pannier through the schlucht. I am wet, and it will do me good to get
warm carrying the load."

"No, Melchior, it would not be right," said Dale. "I will go."

"No, herr," said Melchior firmly; "as your guide I should be disgracing
myself by letting you run the risk. I have been used from a child to
carry loads upon my back along ledges and places where an Englishman
would shrink from going. I am not hurt or tired: it is my duty; so with
all respect to you I will go."

"But--"

"Answer me, herr, as a gentleman," cried Melchior warmly: "do you feel
that you could safely carry that pannier through the schlucht?"

"I should try to," said Dale.

"Ah! that shows weakness: you cannot say that you would."

They went back to a spot where there was a rich patch of grass, and here
the guide ali