underous
roar of Alpine artillery, until it died slowly away--as if unwillingly--
in the light pattering of pebbles.

Gratitude to the Almighty for deliverance from a great danger was the
strongest feeling in the heart of the chamois-hunter. Profound
astonishment and joy at having witnessed such an amazing sight,
quickened the pulse of Lewis.

"That was a narrow escape, Le Croix?"

"It was. I never see such a sight without a shudder, because I lost a
brother in such an avalanche. It was on the slopes of the Jungfrau. He
was literally broken to fragments by it."

Lewis expressed sympathy, and his feelings were somewhat solemnised by
the graphic recital of the details of the sad incident with which the
hunter entertained him, as they descended the mountain rapidly.

In order to escape an impending storm, which was evidently brewing in
the clouds above, Lewis suggested that they should diverge from the
route by which they had ascended, and attempt a short cut by a steeper
part of the mountains.

Le Croix looked round and pondered. "I don't like diverging into
unknown parts when in a hurry, and with the day far spent," he said.
"One never knows when a sheer precipice will shut up the way in places
like this."

The youth, however, was confident, and the man of experience was too
amiable and yielding. There was also urgent reason for haste. It was
therefore decided that the steeper slopes should be attempted.

They began with a glissade. A very steep snow-slope happened to be
close at hand. It stretched uninterruptedly down several hundred feet
to one of the terraces, into which the precipitous mountainside at that
place was cut.

"Will you try?" asked Le Croix, looking doubtfully at his companion.

"Of course I will," replied Lewis, shortly. "Where you choose to go I
will follow."

"Have you ever done such work before?"

"Yes, often, though never on quite so steep or long a slope."

Le Croix was apparently satisfied. He sat down on the summit of the
slope, fixed the spiked end of his axe in the snow, resting heavily on
the handle, in order to check his descent, and hitched himself forward.

"Keep steady and don't roll over," he cried, as he shot away. The snow
rose and trailed like a white tail behind him. His speed increased
almost to that of an avalanche, and in a few seconds he was at the
bottom.

Lewis seated himself in precisely the same manner, but overbalanced
himself when halfway down