e slid slowly down and stood by
his companion's side.

"A nice adventure this," he said, "when I had come out for a quiet day!"

He drew the crystal from his breast, and held it up for Saxe to see.

"But it's so black-looking," cried the latter, as he took hold of the
great dark crystal, pure-looking and clear as its name suggested, while
every angle was sharp and perfect as if it were the production of that
very day.

"Black?" said Dale. "So much the better. It is a very valuable kind,
and there are plenty more. As far as I could make out, some are very
large. Saxe, my lad, we must not think of the trouble and danger, for
we both have been in great peril, and I talked lightly just to keep up
your spirits,--I say we must not think of the troubles, for you have
made a marvellous find, and I congratulate you."

"Then you are satisfied?" said Saxe eagerly.

"More than satisfied. You could not have done better. Now to secure
our find. We must not leave the rope there, because that would betray
the place."

"But nobody ever comes here."

"We hope nobody has been here, my boy; but, according to my experience,
somebody will be sure to come now and find it."

"But how are we to get the rope up again if we take it down?"

"We shall have to scheme it somehow, my lad. What man has done I have
no doubt he can do again."

"But we must leave it," said Saxe, with a laugh, for he was in the
highest spirits now. "We can't get it down."

"Indeed!" said Dale. "I think I provided for that;" and taking hold of
the bottom, he gave the rope a sharp shake, sending a wave along it
which snatched the loop from the projection, and the strong hempen line
dropped at their feet.

"I hardly expected that," cried Saxe, proceeding to coil it up; "but it
will be a terrible job to get it there again."

"We shall see," said Dale, as the loop was unfastened, the end twisted
about the coil, and he once more threw it over his shoulder, after
resuming his coat. "Now for camp. I little expected to make such a
discovery when we started. Saxe, we shall have to pitch our tent up
here when Melchior comes back."

"In this gloomy crack? Why, there will be no food for Gros!"

"Nor for us unless we bring it. I dare say we shall manage; but
Melchior will be disappointed when he finds that we have made the
discovery without his help."

As he spoke Dale looked up the gorge toward the sky, scanning the jagged
edges of the summit.

"I