g up the tiny tent,
anchoring it by means of its lines to stones, as soft a spot as could be
found having been selected, for they were far above the pines, and the
prospect of getting anything suitable for a bed was very small--even
moss proving scarce. However, a rug spread beneath them saved them from
some of the asperities of the rocky ground, and after they had partaken
of their evening meal and taken a short peep round the huge hollow,
which promised admirably for exploration next day, "good nights" were
said, and Saxe lay down for his first test of what it would be like to
sleep under the shelter of a thin tent eight thousand feet above the
level of the sea.

"Is there any need to keep watch up here?" asked Dale.

"Oh no, herr; not the slightest."

"Then welcome sleep to my weary bones," said Dale, as he stretched
himself out; and soon after, as the stars came out, they were all
sleeping peacefully, but only to be aroused just after midnight by a
most unearthly scream--a cry loud enough to make every one spring at
once to his feet and nearly upset the tiny tent.

CHAPTER NINETEEN.

A STRANGE INCIDENT.

It was very dark and cold, the stars gleamed frostily overhead, and the
nearest mountain peak stood out weird-looking and strange against the
purple sky, as the little party stood together listening, and then
questioning each other in an awe-stricken whisper.

"You heard it, Saxe?" said Dale.

"Heard it? Yes, it was horrible. What was it, Melchior?"

The guide shook his head, and then took up his ice-axe for a protection
against whatever the object might be that had alarmed them, as he began
to peer cautiously in all directions.

"It woke me up with a start," whispered Saxe.

"Yes; the most unearthly cry I ever heard. It must have been some kind
of owl, and its shriek sounded the more terrible from being up in this
land of echoes."

"Then if it was a bird there is nothing to be afraid of," said Saxe.
"It gave me the shivers."

"It was startling. Found anything, Melchior?"

"No, herr; and I'm puzzled."

"We think it was a bird."

"No, herr; that was no bird."

"Could it have been an animal?"

"There are no animals up at this height, but chamois and marmots. They
could not have made such a cry."

"No," said Dale thoughtfully.

"Stop!" said the guide, as if he had caught at an idea; "could it have
been a bear?"

"No-o-o!" cried Saxe. "It was a shriek, not a growl."

"You are ri