“Yes; but it was by mere accident that we were in the right spot. There—never mind the crystals. We have had a delightful trip, made an excellent collection of Alpine plants, and you have had a good early apprenticeship to mountaineering. Better still, we have escaped unhurt, in spite of the one or two rather serious accidents.”
“Yes,” said Saxe thoughtfully, “that’s true. How soon are we going up another mountain?”
“What! have you not had enough climbing?”
“No: I should like to go up a dozen more.”
“Then you will be disappointed for this season, Saxe. Melchior will tell you that it will soon be risky to attempt the high Alps. But as you want an expedition, what do you say to one up the great glacier again—this time as far as we can get?”
“This glacier?”
“No, no: the one in the high valley. We might camp again in the narrow niche.”
“And go up the Black Ravine, and examine that lower grotto?”
“Well—yes, if you like. I do not feel very anxious, for the memory of that place is too much associated with my disappointment.”
“When shall we go?”