“What do you think of it, Saxe? Will you venture?”
The lad drew a long breath, and said, through his teeth—
“Yes. I’m not going to be beaten by a mule!”
“Go on, then,” said Dale quietly, “and as soon as we are through we must have a halt for a meal.”
“Not as soon as we are through, herr,” said Melchior, smiling; and he began to unfasten the mule’s girths.
“What are you doing?” cried Saxe.
“Taking off the pannier,” replied the guide. “The ledge is narrow farther in, and it would be awkward if the basket caught against the rock. It might cause him to make a false step, and it would be a bad place to fall in.”
“Bad place? Horrible!” said Dale, frowning.
“But, I say, you can’t leave the basket behind with all the victuals,” cried Saxe.
“No, herr; as soon as the mule is through, I shall come back and fetch it.”