The Crystal Hunters Part 23

"No," said Saxe.

"Oh yes, you remember: that is the arete," said Dale.

"That? What! right up there?"

"Yes. Are you surprised?"

"Yes: I thought we had pa.s.sed that, down below somewhere, hours ago."

"More faith in the size of the mountains," said Dale merrily. "Well, Saxe, how do you feel now? Will you sit down and wait!"

"No," said the boy, through his set teeth, "I'm going right to the top."

CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

SAXE GOES TO THE TOP.

"Ten minutes' rest, herr," said the guide.

"And lunch?"

"No, herr--only for a pipe;" and Melchior drew out his big tobacco holder and filled up, while Dale took out a cigar. "Here's a sheltered place to get a light," continued the guide, leading the way to a niche in the rocks and striking a match.

"Well," said Dale, "what do you think? Will he do it?"

"Shall I speak the truth, herr?" said the guide, puffing quietly away.

"Of course."

"He's horribly frightened, herr; but he would sooner die than show it."

"Exactly: you are right. Will he hold out?"

"That he will, if he is a long time doing it."

"Will you stand by me, Melchior?"

"Of course, herr. I am your servant, and I am more: we are all brothers in the mountains, ready to stand by each other to the end."

"Then, if he has the pluck that every English boy should have--the pluck that English boys always have had--he shall go right to the top, even if we have to sleep somewhere half-way down."

"If we can get him to the top, herr," said Melchior, laughing in his quiet, grave way, "never mind about the coming down. Bless him! I'll carry him down what you English call pig-a-back, if he's worn out."

"Then we'll take him. Is it a very stiff climb higher--dangerous?"

The guide shrugged his shoulders.

"The herr is a mountaineer, and sees as much as I do. I have never been up here, but the mountains are much alike on the whole. I think we can do it."

"Yes, alone: but with that lad?"

"Well, herr, if we come to a very dangerous bit I should say give it up for his sake. But we shall see."

They stood smoking and looking about at the different parts above them, marking out the way they would go when they had mastered the arete, and then returned to Saxe, who was lying down in the sunshine resting.

"Well. Saxe: ten minutes nearly up. Will you stop or go on?"

Saxe looked rather pale, but he laughed.

"Wait here, getting cold?"

"No! there will be plenty of sunshine."

"Yes, but--wait here hours while you two go up to the top and sit down, see the view and eat all the lunch. No; I'm coming with you."

"Right: you shall. Ready, Melchior!"

"Yes, herr. I think we'll have the rope again: I can give you both a bit of a haul sometimes."

"He means me only," thought Saxe, "and I won't let him."

"Now, gentlemen!" the guide went on, as he stood shading his eyes, "that snow's pretty firm, I think, and will not slip. We ought to master the arete in an hour."

"An hour to do that little bit!" thought Saxe, as he looked up; but he did not utter his thoughts; he was really beginning to understand that dots meant big rocks, and snow patches that seemed the size of the hand great beds.

"Vorwarts!" cried Melchior; and he began to climb with the activity of a monkey, getting up to the extent of the rope, and then seating himself and drawing it in as Saxe followed him and fully grasped now that it was like getting up the sloping ridge of some mighty roof all in vast ruins.

For the rocks rose out of the snow which fell away steeply on either side--how far the curve prevented him from seeing; but once, when he took hold of a great projecting piece of rock about double the size of his head, it came away and went rolling down the slope to his right, carrying more and more snow with it, till all disappeared with a curious hissing rush, which was followed many seconds later by a low reverberating roar.

"I ought to have tried that stone," said the guide quietly. "That's right, herr: steady. Shall I pull?"

"No, no!" pleaded Saxe.

"Good! That block--now this. Well done! Get behind me and sit down and rest."

Saxe felt disposed to refuse; but he took his place, and in a minute or two Dale was up by them, and the guide went on again, repeating the slow cautious process.

It was necessary, for the way up grew steeper and some of the rocks looser and far larger than that which Saxe had started, gave way at the first touch of the guide, and had to be turned off sideways to prevent mischief to those who followed.

As they rose higher the slope down on either hand seemed more appalling; and once, as Saxe climbed to him, Melchior said, with a smile--

"Never mind the two snow slopes, herr."

"I don't--much," panted Saxe.

"Don't look at them, and don't think of them at all. Think of what you are doing. There is plenty of room for us, good foothold, and nothing to mind. That's the way: hook on firmly with your ice-axe. It is better than a hand."

Over and over was this slow process repeated up and up that arete--the little serrated blocks they had seen from below proving mighty ma.s.ses worn by frost and sunshine till in places they were quite sharp. But, as Melchior said, they gave excellent foothold; and at last the snow above them, a great bed surrounded by rock, was gained, and they all sat down to rest while Dale drew out his watch.