“A hammer to use if I come across geological specimens, a field-glass, a flask of wine, and some other things.”
“I wouldn’t carry any weight, if I were you,” he said.
“Oh, I don’t mind it,” I answered, and off we started.
The mountain to which we were bound was about two miles from the town. Its nearest side was steep, and in places almost precipitous, but it sloped away more gradually toward the north, and up that side a road led by devious windings to a village near the summit. It was not a very high mountain, but it would do for an afternoon’s climb.
“I suppose you want to go up by the road,” said my companion.
“Oh no,” I answered, “we won’t go so far around as that. There is a path up this side, along which I have seen men driving their goats. I prefer to take that.”
“All right, if you say so,” he answered, with a smile; “but you’ll find it pretty tough.”
After a time he remarked:
“I wouldn’t walk so fast, if I were you.”
“Oh, I like to step along briskly,” I said. And briskly on we went.