Saxe looked up at the snow, and then at Dale, who also seemed to have his doubts.
“Can we pass that before dark?” he said.
“Yes, herr. Trust me: I know.”
“But how far have we to go on the other side? If it is very far, had we not better camp here for the night?”
“When we reach the summit of the col, herr, our task is done. There is a deep hollow, well sheltered, and where the snow never falls.”
“I leave myself in your hands, Melchior,” said Dale. “Go on.”
The climb over the rugged ground was very laborious, but there was a brisk freshness in the air which kept fatigue at a distance, and they toiled on up and up, with the sloping rays of the sun making the snow above them indescribably beautiful.
“Yes,” said Saxe, “but I’m getting too tired and out of breath to enjoy it now. I’ll do that to-morrow.”
“The young herr shall come and see the sun rise on the snow passes,” said Melchior. “I will call him.”
“No, don’t, please,” said Saxe. “I shall want two days’ sleep after this.”