"Oh, bravely. We travelled quite silently, for more reasons than one. Our voices might have been heard—they might have brought an avalanche down upon us from the Oetzberg—and our hearts were heavy. When we got to the châlet, however,—(it lies very high up, quite among the glaciers!) we found it situated in a kind of little kessel,[D] so as to be very unlikely to be discovered. A thicket of pines shelters it; there is a little pool or pond near the door; a stable below, a loft above, in which Johann and I slept—or rather, he whimpered himself to sleep, but I lay awake, thinking matters over."
"No wonder!—Ah!—" (sighing.)
"Well, I thought it was no good to stay there till it got too light, especially as it was snowing, which would prevent my retracing our track if I delayed, and effaced mine along with it if I were quick. The Sandwirth was serious, but quite calm and hearty. Your good mother offered me some breakfast, but I would not diminish their little store."
"That reminds me, Rudolf! They will soon be in want of food!"
"Soon, but not just yet. I think we may leave them alone another week."
"Oh, only think if their stock should fall short! Cold, peril, and famine too!"
"Well, then, at the end of this week, which will be in four days, I will start off with a fresh supply if I can."
"If you can?"
"Yes, Theresa; remember everything does not depend on me; the weather may be tempestuous, the search more vigorous and less easily baffled; but what man can do, I will do, rely upon it."
Theresa rewarded him with a grateful look, and then began to milk the cow. He stood by her the while.