s were equal, when he lightly twisted the rope and
threw it over the precipice.

"Then I'll go first," said Dale; and, seizing the twisted rope, he
lowered himself over the edge, hung in sight for a few moments, and
then, as soon as his hands were clear of the edge, allowed himself to
slide down, while Saxe's palms felt cold and wet.

He watched the rope intently and strained his ears, and then started,
for Melchior gently laid his hand upon his shoulder.

"What is it?" cried Saxe excitedly. "Has he fallen?"

"No, herr; and nobody is going to fall. You are fancying troubles. I
know. I have not led strangers up the mountains for twenty years
without studying their faces as well as the face of Nature. I can read
yours. You are scarcely yourself, and feeling fear where there is no
need. Come now, take a long breath. Make an effort, and be calm. I'll
draw up the rope and fasten one end round you, and lower you down."

"No," cried Saxe excitedly; "I can get down without. Is he safe yet?"

"Safe? He is down: look at the rope shaking. Shall I draw it up?"

For answer Saxe stooped down, and rose again to get his ice-axe well
behind him in his belt. Then he stooped again, seized the lightly
twisted rope, lay down upon his chest, thrust his legs over the edge of
the precipice, worked himself back till he was clear, and began to glide
slowly down.

He shuddered, for the rope began to twist; and directly after, instead
of gazing at the rough granite rock, he was facing outward, and gazing
wildly down at the step-like series of precipices below.

"Not too fast," came from Dale; and this brought him back to his
position, and, twisting his legs about the double rope, he slipped down
more slowly, wondering the while why the rope had ceased to turn and
swing, till he saw that it was being held tightly now.

"Well done!" cried Dale: "you are getting quite at home at it. Right!"
he shouted to Melchior, whose two legs appeared directly after, then his
body, and he slid down rapidly, as if it were one of the most simple
things in the world--as it really was, save that, instead of being close
to the level, it was twelve thousand feet above.

As Melchior joined them, he rapidly untwisted the rope, held the two
ends apart, and, as he drew with his left, he sent a wave along from his
right, and threw the end up, with the result that the rope came away
easily, and was rapidly coiled up.

The mists were collecting on th