ust be the only way.

"I must have taken a dozen steps before my ice-axe checked against the
ice, and I threw myself against it, trying to calm my burning head by
resting it against what I took to be the arch of the large ice-cave into
which I had found my way; but, instead of the wall leaning over toward
me, as it would in a rugged arch, it sloped away. I did not notice this
much as I leaned forward, for the ice felt delightfully cool against my
burning head; and as the coldness went in farther and farther, I seemed
to be able to think better and clearer, and this set me trying about
with the axe, till I found that I was at the bottom of a great ice
slope, as it seemed to me; and as I raised my head and gazed upward my
heart gave a great throb, for there, high up, far away, was a gleam of
light, and at the sight of that strength came to me, and I grasped my
axe tightly, for that meant escape from that terrible place, and life.

"I was quite cool then, and I knew that I must be at the bottom of some
crevasse. I knew, too, that the ice sloped away from me, therefore it
would most likely do so all the way up; so I had only to climb to the
surface of the gletscher and walk away."

"I'm beginning to understand now," said Saxe. "An ice slope is not a
very serious thing to a guide who has worked upon the mountains ever
since he was a boy, herrs. Feeling satisfied now that I had but to cut
my way up step by step, I grew more easy in my mind, glanced up, and
then, after a little feeling about in the darkness, I chipped my first
step, just enough for my toe to hold in, rose up and cut another."

"In the dark? How did you know where to hit?" cried Saxe. "I could cut
steps in the ice blindfold, herr," said Melchior sharply. "When the
hands and arms have grown used to doing a thing, they can do it even if
the eyes are not watching them. Of course I do not say I always struck
exactly in the right place, but I could get sufficiently near to make a
notch in the smooth ice; and I kept on, with my heart growing lighter as
I chipped away, listening to the echoing of the blows and the hissing
sound of the bits of ice as they slipped down the smooth face--for it
was perfectly smooth, and as if polished.

"Step by step I cut my way. It was slow, tiring work; but every notch
made was a step nearer to liberty, and I worked on. As I climbed higher
I had to cut my notches deeper, for the slope was not quite so easy, and
the slight