Chapter XII.
Rollo a Courier.
Rollo came in one morning to the hotel at Meyringen, after having been taking a walk on the banks of a mighty torrent that flows through the valley, and found his uncle George studying the guide book and map, with an appearance of perplexity. Mr. George was seated at a table on a balcony, which opened from the dining room of the inn. This balcony was very large, and rooms opened from it in various directions. There were several tables here, with seats around them, where those who chose to do so could take their breakfast or their dinner in the open air, and enjoy the views of the surrounding mountains and waterfalls at the same time. Mr. George was seated at one of these tables, with his map and his guide book before him.
"Well, uncle George," said Rollo, "are you planning our journey?"
"Yes," said Mr. George; "and I am very much perplexed."
"Why, what is the difficulty?" asked Rollo.
"There is no possibility of getting out of this valley," said Mr. George, "except by going all the way back to Thun,—and that I am not willing to do."
"Is there no possible way?" asked Rollo.
"No," said Mr. George, "unless we go over the Brunig Pass on foot."