Misplaced prod! It was an unhappy touch, making, as it did, Gros give a
tremendous plunge off the narrow mule-track, to come down on a slope so
steep that he lost his footing, fell, and rolled over and over in a
wonderful way, scattering bottles, wood, and tins from the basket, all
of which went careering down the side of the valley with the mule,
leaping, bounding and rattling and creaking in a way which drove the
poor beast nearly frantic with fear, the catastrophe being in no wise
bettered by the shouts of Andregg and the dismal brayings of the donkey,
which seemed to be frantic in the endeavour to join his unfortunate
friend.

The roll down was neither long enough nor dangerous enough to do any
harm to Gros; but the state of the scattered cargo, as it was collected
and carried to where the mule stood shivering, stamping and kicking at
the basket as it hung down now between his legs, was deplorable, and
meant a delay of half an hour before a fresh start could be made.

"You must be kind to Gros, herr," said the old Swiss reproachfully. "He
always hated to be pricked by the iron point of an alpenstock. I have
known him bite boys who used their alpenstocks to him."

"That's a hint for you, Saxe," said Dale merrily. "Worse disasters at
sea," he cried. "Now, Melchior, are we all ready once more?"

"Yes, herr," replied the guide.

"Then which way do you propose going, after we get up out of the
valley?"

"Over yonder, between those two peaks, herr," said the man, pointing.

"With the mule? Is it possible?"

"I think so, herr; and if you like we will try. I don't think there
will be much snow in the pass--no more than the mule can manage. And,
once there, I think we can descend into a wild valley below the
snow-line--one where man very seldom treads."

"Excellent," said Dale. And they started, leaving old Andregg and his
wife collecting the broken bottles and damaged articles below.

They had not ascended above half a dozen of the many zigzags of the
path, when the bray of the donkey came faintly from behind, and Gros set
up his ears, stopped, whinnied, and looked as if he were about to turn
back; but this time kindness was tried, Melchior snatching a piece of
bread from his pocket and walking on, holding it behind him.

The result was excellent. The bray of Gros's relative was forgotten,
and he increased his pace, sniffing at the bread till he could succeed
in taking it from the guide's hand, and,