The veteran had a moving plan up his sleeve, and the chief reason he had for making this stand was to give the injured captain a little more time to mend.
A scalp wound was what had laid the officer low, and since recovering consciousness he had rallied remarkably. In the soldier's knapsack, which Henri had thoughtfully carried, notwithstanding the hasty leave-taking, was three days' rations, and the invalid had also been strengthened by the food his new friends prevailed upon him to swallow.
During the day Schneider several times checked an effort of their foes to reach the height by starting a little avalanche of rocks at the critical moment.
In the periods of enforced peace, he cast an eye about for a likely way for quick retreat.
The way presented itself in the shape of a fallen pine that bridged a narrow pass, deeply dividing this isolated level from the mountain chain that widely extended back of the occupied position, and rose in serried crags to the very skyline.
It was a nerve-testing prospect, alluring alone to a professional rope walker.
"We'll tackle it in short order," resolutely declared Schneider, after final survey.