Yes, herr, if any one comes by; but nobody is likely to come here."

"I suppose not," said Dale thoughtfully, after a look round.

"The herr forgets that we are now in the wildest part of this the most
desolate of our cantons."

"Yes, I had forgotten," said Dale lightly. "No one is likely to come,
unless it be one of your kobolds, Melchior."

"They will not come, herr, or they would have been here to protect their
treasures," replied the guide, laughing, as he stooped and lifted the
big crystal on to his shoulder; then took it off, and asked Saxe to
place the coil of rope under it. "The stone is heavy," he said
cheerfully. "Yes, that's it: now it will ride easily. I think, herr,
if you take my ice-axe and give me another under this arm to balance it,
I can get on well."

"But you are too heavily laden now, Melchior."

"Oh no, herr: I am a strong man. Give me the other."

It was handed to him.

"Now, can you carry the other three?"

"Oh yes--easily," cried Saxe, who took one of the largest. "'Tis heavy,
though," he added to himself, as he felt the weight of the solid stone.

"Then these two are my load," said Dale, placing one under each arm as
soon as he had thrust the ice-axe handles through his belt. "Ready?"

"Yes."

"Then off!"

They started, and but for the knowledge of the value of the load Saxe
would gladly have freed himself of the burden by letting it fall on the
stones. But these were the crystals of which Dale was in search, and as
he saw that his companion was patiently plodding on and making his way
over the sharp, rough masses of stone with which the ravine was floored,
he bent to his task patiently, though it seemed as though they would
never reach the spot where the mule was tethered.

There he was though, at last, ready to whinny in welcome of their
coming; but this glad greeting closed when Melchior's load was carefully
balanced across his back, and the journey downward was very slowly and
solemnly performed.

With the heaviest crystals safe on the mule's back, a redistribution
took place, Melchior relieving Dale of his heaviest piece, and Dale
exchanging his lighter one for Saxe's; and in this order the side of the
glacier was descended, and they reached the camp hot, tired and hungry.

"Why, Saxe, we shall not want many loads like this," said Dale.

"No, herr," said Melchior, as the boy stood shaking his head. "You
cannot take many away, unless we have a train of mules.