e a friend who will serve you like a dog."

"I can't see anything very beautiful in it, Mr Dale," said Saxe, who
had now advanced so far that he was permitted to pat the mule's neck;
"and what does he mean by `serve you like a dog'? Bite! He looks as if
he could."

"He will be very useful to us, herr, and save us many a long weary
tramp," said the guide, smiling. "I am willing and strong, but I cannot
guide and carry much as well, and if you share the load with me, your
climbing will be too laborious. With the mule to drive before us, we
can take water, food, and blankets, beside a kettle for coffee; and
sleep for one, two or three nights in the mountains, if we like. Shall
we take him to-day?"

"I thought he was to be sent down the valley for our portmanteau and
things," said Dale.

"Andregg can send the donkey," replied Melchior.

"Then by all means let us take the animal. I wish, though, that we had
our ice-axes and rope, that I left at the chalet below."

"They will be ready for our next journey," said Melchior. And after due
instructions had been given to old Andregg and his man Pierre,
preparations were made for a fresh start up the mountains.

These did not take long. A kind of basket was secured firmly on the
mule's back, and old Andregg, under Melchior's directions, produced a
couple of worn ice-picks or axes, blankets, bottles, a kettle for
coffee, and a little ready-chopped wood to supply the first start to the
twigs and branches they would collect before leaving the forest.

By the time the mule was loaded with everything deemed necessary, Pierre
was ready with the donkey, and the start was made together up and down
the valley. At least, that was intended; but there were objections
raised by the two four-footed friends, both wanting to go together; and
when at last, after a volley of angry language from Andregg, the donkey
was dragged by Pierre along the track, it began to bray loudly.

This was sufficient to attract the mule, which whinnied and tried to
follow the donkey.

Melchior seized the bridle and checked him, just as they were ascending
the first of a series of zigzags leading out of the deep valley, with
the result that the donkey brayed again and had to be held by main force
by Pierre's arm round his neck, for he had dragged his head out of the
bridle; while Gros began to kick and back and behave so obstreperously
that Dale gave him a sharp prod with the end of his alpenstock.