e. Melchior will
tell you that it will soon be risky to attempt the high Alps. But as
you want an expedition, what do you say to one up the great glacier
again--this time as far as we can get?"

"This glacier?"

"No, no: the one in the high valley. We might camp again in the narrow
niche."

"And go up the Black Ravine, and examine that lower grotto?"

"Well--yes, if you like. I do not feel very anxious, for the memory of
that place is too much associated with my disappointment."

"When shall we go?"

"Make your hay while the sun shines, my boy. The weather is so settled
that we cannot do better than go to-morrow."

"I was going with Melk to the Silbern See to-morrow, for trout; but I'd
rather visit the great glacier."

"Then go and tell Melchior that we will be off in the morning. I want
to make some notes about the movement of the glacier, and perhaps we may
descend one or two of the crevasses where the ice is not so thick."

Saxe started off to where Melchior was busy fitting an iron spike to a
stout ashen alpenstock.

"Now, Melk!" he cried: "off to-morrow again!"

"Where to, herr? over into Italy?"

"No: into the cold country again. Mr Dale wants to visit the great
glacier once more."

"To search for the crystals?"

"Oh no. Don't talk about them to him. It only makes him angry. But we
are going to stay up there two or three days; so take a good load of
provisions and blankets, so as to make it warmer in the tent."

Melchior looked pleased, and rose to speak to Pierre about the mule, and
ordered him to chop up some pine-wood small, to act as kindling to start
a fire when that collected might be wet. Then Andregg and his wife were
summoned, and received their orders about bread, butter, poultry and
cheese; after which Saxe had a happy thought.

"Look here, Melchior!" he said; "I like milk in my coffee."

"Yes, herr, it is pleasant. I will take a bottleful."

"Oh, but I want it every day!"

"We could not take a cow up there."

"No; but we might take a goat."

The guide laughed.

"Yes, we might take a goat," he said; "but it would be rather
troublesome."

"Oh no, I'll look after her. I've watched Pierre milk time's enough,
and I'm sure I can do it."

"Very well, herr: if you don't mind goat's milk, I'll get one that will
run beside the mule."

This fresh idea was received with a good deal of laughter by the old
peasant and his wife; but a goat was selected as suitable for th