will see."

In half an hour they were once more afoot, with the sun beginning to
blaze down upon them and the snow dazzling their eyes; but the descent
to the first bare rocks was steadily made, and the exploration began,
with the result during the next two hours of four crevices being
discovered, each lined with crystals that, at the first sight, looked
like ice, but a close investigation satisfied Dale that they were not
worthy of his notice, and that the minor grotto in the black ravine was
far superior.

"No good, herr," said the guide sadly. "Sehr schlecht. I hoped we
should have done better."

"Never mind. We have done the best we could, and this has been a
magnificent ascent."

"The herr is satisfied with that?"

"Yes."

"Splendid!" added Saxe.

Then a difficult descent began, among the jagged masses of rock, whose
hollows were full of snow. After some stiff work a great couloir was
reached, one which led well down in the direction the guide was now
taking, and along this gully they managed to glide in safety, though
twice over great stones came bounding down from the black crags
overhead.

Then a ledge of ice had to be cautiously approached and passed, one
angle where there was barely foothold calling for all Saxe's fortitude;
but he passed it bravely and fought very hard not to show that he had
felt a slight attack of nerves. There had been a curious catching
sensation in his throat, and his breath had come as he glanced once down
into the blue haze in an ice gulf; but he breathed more freely as firm
snow and then solid rock was reached; and the descent continued, no
allusion being made to the perilous bit, though on glancing at the guide
once he received a nod which evidently meant:

"Bravo! well done! You could not have faced that when you first came
among the Alps."

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE.

A CATASTROPHE.

"When are you going to give us a glissade, Melk?" cried Saxe, as they
reached a piece of smooth snow descending at a moderate angle.

"The first time there is a suitable place, herr," replied the guide
quietly.

"Why not here?"

"I will show you when we get to the bottom."

Saxe looked disappointed, and grew more so as the descent was made
slowly and toilsomely, with every precaution taken and warning words
uttered from time to time respecting keeping the rope taut.

"But there were no crevasses here?" said Saxe, as they reached to where
the slope seemed to curve over sudd