he snow. You see that either
can be reached: that is plain enough from here."

"Yes, it looks easy," said Dale thoughtfully. "The rock for preference,
for I want to see the structure, and we may find specimens of what I am
seeking."

"Yonder will be most likely," said Melchior, pointing to a huge mass of
dark mountain a few miles away, part of which was now glowing in the
morning sun, whose bright rays made the ice and snow glitter on a score
of peaks.

"We'll, try that later on," said Dale. "Have you never been up it?"

"No, herr; but I have been on others, where little crystals have been
found in cracks; and they were mountains like that--very steep-sided,
and having little snow."

"There's plenty of time," said Dale, raising his glass to examine the
farther mountain attentively. "We'll try that by-and-by. Has it any
name?"

"The Black Nun, herr. That is the White Nun, on beyond it, to the
right."

"Yes, I'll keep to my original plan," said Dale, looking up once more to
the mountain at whose foot they sat, "and in half an hour we'll be off.
How many hours will it take us?"

"Eight or nine, herr. It depends on--"

He paused and looked at Saxe.

"To be sure, yes," said Dale thoughtfully. "I think," he continued, to
Saxe's great relief, "that, as this one is rather difficult and
dangerous--"

"It ought not to be dangerous, herr, if we are careful."

"Well, then, difficult," continued Dale--"you had better content
yourself, Saxe, by staying here in camp and watching us with the glass."

Saxe changed his position viciously.

"I wish you would not think me such a coward, sir," he said, with a
display of temper. "I am to learn to climb: why not let me begin now?"

As soon as he had spoken he repented; for he felt nervous about so steep
a climb, and he told himself that, by his hasty words and assumption of
eagerness, he had made his feelings clear to those who listened.

Dale looked at him searchingly, and Saxe coloured beneath his gaze.

"If it would be more satisfaction to you to come with us, do so by all
means. It will be hard and toilsome, but Melchior and I will take, care
of you."

"Oh, if they would not think me such a cowardly child!" thought Saxe.
Then, aloud--

"I should like to come, and I'll do the best I can to keep up with you."

"And if there is a bit of extra difficult climbing, why, you--you must
wait till we come back."

"Yes, I could do that," replied Saxe; and as soo