en it comes to an end."

"I doubt that very much, young lady," said Uncle Jeff. "We have only
just commenced the passage of the mountains, and I have made up my mind
not to let you go on unless some tolerably easy path can be found over
them. I am very much afraid, however, that we shall not discover one
fit for you to travel on."

"Then what are we to do, Uncle Jeff?" asked Clarice.

"I will tell you," he answered. "I propose remaining here with one of
the men, while Lieutenant Broadstreet, the other man, and Ralph, try to
make their way across the mountains. They may manage to do it; but if
they had you with them, they would probably fail--no disrespect to your
prowess, so don't pout your lips."

"What do you say to my plan, lieutenant?"

"Although I would rather have Miss Middlemore's company, yet I confess
that I should be often very anxious about her and her servant venturing
into places through which I should not hesitate to penetrate alone. I
consider your plan, therefore, under the circumstances, the best that
could be adopted; and as you promise me the assistance of Ralph, I will
leave Pat Sperry to attend on you--and Pat is a trustworthy fellow, when
the liquor bottle is kept out of his way."

I do not think Clarice liked this plan, but she had no valid objection
to urge against it; indeed, when she looked up at the snowy mountains
before us, and the vast chasms which yawned on each side, she must have
owned to herself that she was unfitted to travel through such a region.

Next morning we sent the two men for the deer skins, and a further
supply of venison; but when they came back they brought the skin of the
panther as well. They had found the animal close to the body of the
deer, by the scent of which he must have been attracted; but he must
have died of his wounds before he had begun to eat the flesh.

We spent the rest of the day in making pemmican, and in doing up our
packages in a more compact form. The larger part of our stores we left
for the party in camp--only taking powder and shot, a small quantity of
coffee, and a few simple cooking utensils, so that we might travel as
lightly as possible. We had little doubt about being able to obtain a
sufficient supply of game; and Sergeant Custis, who was a bit of a
botanist, said that he hoped to find roots which would serve as
vegetables.

Early in the morning, having said good-bye to our friends, we set out.
The valley was soon crossed, a