At length a bright idea struck Justin. He took his handkerchief from his pocket, rubbed it well upon his own face and hands and laid it down on the ground, and called the little dog, and said:
“Fidelle! Fidelle!—watch it!”
And the loyal little creature ran and put his forepaws upon it and stood looking “faithful unto death” with all his might.
“Come—we can go now,” said Justin. “Our way leads up the mountain, immediately over the roof of your grotto, sister; and the ascent is steep and rugged; and although you are not a very ancient lady, I think that you will find this staff serviceable; indeed, indispensible,” he added, handing to Miss Conyers a stick that he had cut for her use in climbing, and which she received with a smile of thanks.
He gave Judith a similar staff, and then they all set forth.
They ascended the mountain in a much shorter time than might have been expected.
When they reached the tableland on the summit, Justin found a fragment of rock that would do for a seat, and advised Britomarte to sit down and rest.
Then he took out his telescope and adjusted it, and invited her to take a survey of their little kingdom—“For this island is our kingdom, my sister!—
“‘We are monarchs of all we survey—
Our rights there is none to dispute;