“Villages!” said Bracy, smiling. “By that time we shall be far above any villages, and up amongst the snow.”
“Right, sir; all the same to me. I love a bit o’ sport, though I never got no farther at home than rats.”
“Talk lower,” said Bracy. “Sound travels far when everything is so still.”
Striking to the right now, and keeping near the deep gully along which the river ran, Bracy sought for a spot where they could cross to the far side, and before long they came upon a rock-strewn part opposite to where another of the several streams joined it from the east. Here, with a little careful balancing and stepping from stone to stone, they had not much difficulty in crossing to the other side; where, the minor affluent being also crossed, their course was directed up its right bank to the north and east. The side of the little ravine being surmounted, a far wider scope of view was obtained, the mountain before hidden in clouds now showing its crest in the coming sun; and, satisfied as to the course he was to take, and marking it down by the little pocket-compass he carried, Bracy pointed to a sheltered spot amongst some scrub pine, and a halt was made for a short time for the promised breakfast.
Nothing could have been more simple, nothing more delicious. For the glorious mountain air gave a wonderful zest to everything; and in about a quarter of an hour they were ready to resume their journey, refreshed, in high spirits, and with their task in the bright morning sunshine, which glorified the wondrous panorama of snow-peaks, seeming to assume the aspect of a holiday trip.
“I’ll take one look round first,” said Bracy, “in case our friends of yesterday are anywhere upon our track;” and, before exposing himself, he drew out the little glass he had brought, and swept the sides of the valley they had ascended, then slowly turned his glass upon the ridge they had gained, following it to where it joined the main valley, and afterwards turned from the varied panorama of grassy upland forest and rock, over the boundary-line to where to his right all was snow—pure white snow, which looked deliciously soft, and sparked with a million rays.
“All seems clear, Gedge,” he said at last. “So let us start. That is to be our resting-place to-night, or as near to it as we can get.”
“That mountain with a big point and a little un, sir?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t seem half a day’s journey, sir. Everything’s so clear that things look close to yer. But I know better now. Ready, sir?”