at's going up again."

"Yes, herr; I do not like to be so near this place without letting you
see the Silber Grat and the wonderful view. Very few people come to see
this place, but it is very grand."

"Yes, grand in the extreme," said Dale. "Here, Saxe," he continued,
giving the rope a jerk, "come away now."

The boy started again, and then frowned, as he felt as if he were being
treated like a mule or a donkey, held by a halter.

"Ready, herrs?" said the guide. "We must get on, please."

"Which way?" said Dale.

"Straight up, herr, along by these rocks, till we are above that snow
slope; then along the top across the shoulder, where we shall find an
easy slope on the other side, and perhaps be able to have a glissade
without going down a precipice at the bottom."

"Oh, come!" cried Saxe; "that's meant for me. How was I to know that
the mountain ended suddenly like a wall?"

"Never mind that," said Dale impatiently; "it's growing late, and we
want to get back to camp. Why, Melchior, we are going to have a storm!"

"Yes, herr; I'm afraid so."

"Then why go up there and along the top? Surely we can go diagonally up
the snowfield from here to the corner below the shoulder, and we shall
save half a mile, at least!"

"Yes, herr; nearer a mile," said the guide, gazing up thoughtfully at
the smooth snowfield; "but there is a great slope there."

"Yes, but away from this horrible precipice. I suppose that goes down
into an inner valley?"

"Yes, herr; and extends right to the bottom--all snow."

"Then a slip and a roll would not matter?"

"No, herr."

"Then why do you hesitate, man?" cried Dale peevishly, as the guide
stood with his brow shaded, gazing up at the dazzling slope which rose
from them at a little distance and then curved over and disappeared.

"I was looking, herr, because I mistrusted that snow. It does not look
healthy."

"What, likely to give way? Absurd! There are no crevasses there."

"Oh no, herr. It is all rock below."

"Of course: it must be. Well, we will take the cut right across that
snow to the opposite corner."

"The herr desires it?" said Melchior gravely.

"Yes, certainly. It is folly to go so far round."

"The snow is not always good, herr; and the longest way round is
sometimes the nearest."

"Yes, but with a storm coming on, perhaps!" said Dale sharply.

"It may be hours yet, herr."

"The better for us. Let's get back down into shelter."

Melchior s