ong shelves, so that, by the time the sun rose, they had
well mastered the outworks, and were ready to attack the peak itself.

For the next two hours it was now steady climb over rock and snow. Then
the difficulties began, but were surmounted one by one,--a great
snowfield or two were skirted, an arete mounted, which led them to the
foot of a slope of hard ice, where they halted for a rest.

"Must we take that, Melchior?"

"Yes, herr: there is no other way, and with the rope it is not so
difficult."

"But you will have to cut steps all the way!"

"Yes, herr."

"And the precipice?"

"You will not mind that, herr; and I am sure he will not shrink from it
now."

Saxe declared that he was ready, and for the next hour they were
crossing the ice, where a slip might have sent all flying down two or
three thousand feet. But it was passed at last, and the great black
crags were now within easy reach.

"Do you mean to go right to the top, herr?" said the guide; "because, if
so, it would be better to do it now, before the snow grows softer, and
descend to the black crags afterwards. Then, if we do not find
crystals, I can take you round by the cornice, and over or round one of
the snowfields home."

"What do you say, Saxe? Shall we venture?"

"Yes, we must be able to say we have climbed the Blitzenhorn."

"Go on, then, Melchior, and we'll do it. Is there anything very bad?"

"No, herr, I think not. A few crevasses, perhaps, that one can get
over, are the worst. Nothing more difficult than we have often done."

They climbed on, but the difficulties increased, and there proved to be
an awkward ice ledge to pass along, with a terrific gulf beneath; and a
gap or two, with snow bridges, which were apparently waiting a touch to
go down at once. These were all safely overcome. And at last a long
slope of loose snow was all that remained to toil up before they reached
the top, where Saxe threw himself down to enjoy the wondrous prospect of
glittering ice peaks, and, a few minutes after, the food Melchior
brought from his wallet.

"It doesn't seem so difficult as you thought," said Saxe, with his mouth
full.

"Don't holloa till you are out of the wood," replied Dale. "Shall we go
back the same way?" he said to the guide.

"No, herr; I shall take you back right to the black rock, where it is
too steep for the snow to lie."

"And for us to get down?"

"I shall skirt the edge of those steep bits, herr. You