"Wait a minute, young man; I'll come and see what you have started." Roque carried a big bump of curiosity under his cap.
In the meantime, Ansel had told Roten about the slope climbers, whatever they were, and the aviation leader concluded that any sort of investigation on this trip required his presence.
The whole company, then, trailed after Billy across the plateau, with a general view of deciding in force the value of the alleged discovery.
From the lookout point a battery of glasses were soon trained upon the slope designated by Billy and Ansel.
Roten hit the moving mark first this time.
"I'll be blest," he ejaculated, behind the steady aim of the binocle, "if it isn't one big man carrying another on his shoulders, and a shorter fellow bringing up the rear!"
[CHAPTER XIX.]
RABBIT'S FOOT FOR LUCK.
For an hour the Russians in front of the rocky rise, where Schneider and Henri stood sentinel over the prostrate Austrian officer, had maintained an ominous silence.