e
foot of the nearest fall, whose icy water came showering down softly as
if it were from a cloud. Here there was a pool of the greatest
limpidity, broad, deep, and ground out of the solid rock by the constant
dropping that wears a stone.

There were no remains of sleep about Saxe's eyes after his ablutions,
and they walked back towards the chalet, meeting Melchior.

"There is some breakfast ready, herr," he said; "and I should like to
know whether it would be wise to get your things up here and stay for a
few days."

"An excellent proposal; but how are we to get them?"

"Oh, there are men who would fetch them; or Andregg would send Pierre
with his mule."

"Who is Pierre?--that man we saw milking?"

"Yes, herr. I don't like him, but he is honest, and will do that very
well. Shall I send? After you have done here, I can get them carried
farther over the mountains, or, if you liked, we could hire Andregg's
mule for use at once."

"But the mountains? Can he climb?"

Melchior laughed.

"Almost anywhere. I think he could even beat us. He is a wonderful
beast."

The proposal was agreed to, and after they had partaken of their homely
breakfast, Andregg was questioned about the mule.

Oh yes, he was quite willing to lend it, for as many days or weeks as
the herr liked.

"Then I'll have it to carry our little tent, rugs and provisions. I
promise you I will feed the animal well."

"The herr need not trouble himself," said Andregg; "Gros will feed
himself."

"Well, then, I will not work him too hard."

"I am not afraid, herr," said the sturdy grey-haired old Swiss, smiling;
"he always lies down when he is tired."

"Then I will not beat him."

"No, herr," said Andregg; "he will not let you."

"Here, I want to see that mule!" cried Saxe.

"Oh yes, the young herr shall see him," said the old Swiss; and he went
to the door and uttered a peculiar jodel, which was answered directly by
a horrible bray which Saxe recognised as the yell he had heard before he
was awake.

"Nein--nein--nein--nein!" shouted the old Swiss, and the donkey's bray
died off into a sobbing moan. As this was ended, the old man jodelled
again, apparently without result; but soon after there was a snort, and
a peculiar-looking animal came trotting down from the mountain, whisking
its long tail from side to side and pointing its long ears forward. But
as it came close up, it suddenly stopped, and spun round as if upon a
pivot.