rds struck
at my hopes and left them maimed.

"There are no mules to be had in Lucerne," he said.

"In the country near by, then?"

"Nor in the country near by. The nearest place where you could get one
would be in the Valais--best at Brig."

"But I don't want to go to Brig," I said forlornly. "If I went to
Brig, that would mean that I should have to do a lot of walking
afterwards, to reach the parts I wish to reach, through the hot Rhone
Valley, where I should be eaten up by gnats and other disagreeable
wild beasts. I know the Rhone Valley between Brig and Martigny
already, by railway travelling, and that is more than enough."

"The Rhone Valley is a misunderstood valley. Even between Martigny
and Brig, it is far more beautiful than anyone who has seen it only
from the railway can possibly judge," pleaded Herr Widmer. "It well
repays a riding or walking tour."

But my soul girded against the Rhone Valley, and I would not be driven
into it by persuasion. "I'd rather put up with a donkey to carry my
luggage," said I, with visions of discarding half my Instantaneous
Breakfasts, "than begin my walk in the Rhone Valley. Surely, Lucerne
can be counted on to yield me up at least a donkey?"

"You must go into Italy to find an _ane_," replied the landlord,
inexorable as Destiny.

I suddenly understood how a woman feels when she stamps her foot and
bursts into tears. (There are advantages in being a woman.) To be
thwarted for the sake of a mere, wretched animal, which I had always
looked upon with indifference as the least of beasts! It was too much.
My features hardened. Inwardly, I swore a great oath that, if I went
to the world's end to obtain it, I would have a pack-mule, or, if
worse came to worst, a pack-donkey.

At this bitter moment I chanced to meet Molly's eyes and read in them
a sympathy well-nigh extravagant. But I knew why it had been called
out. If there is one thing which causes unbearable anguish to a true
American girl it is to find herself wanting something "right away"
which she cannot have. But luckily for her country's peace, her
lovers' happiness, this occurs seldom.

"What is the nearest place in Italy where Lord Lane could get a
donkey?" she asked.

"It is possible that he might be able to buy or hire one at Airolo,"
said our landlord. "At one time they had them there, for the railway
works, and mules also. But now I do not----"

"We can go there and see," said Molly.

"Airolo's on the o