Stacy demurred at this, declaring that his heart would stand no such strain.
“Don’t carry the pack on your heart. Carry it on your back,” suggested Emma amid much laughter.
The guide was directed, in case of trouble, to fire gun signals.
“What about the seals on the locks?” questioned Grace, nodding to Hippy, who had made the suggestion.
“That’s so. Make smoke signals, Jim. In case of our being delayed, make them anyway.”
For the next half hour the Overlanders were busy selecting such equipment as they thought would be needed on their journey to the top of Electric Peak. Stacy compromised with his companions by consenting to carry two blanket rolls which he said was all his heart would stand, and the party started up the mountain full of spirits and eagerness for the adventure that lay before them.
Within an hour after the start the high altitude began to affect the Overlanders, and especially Stacy, who had an attack of nosebleed. The party halted until the fat boy recovered, then resumed their climb, with continued rising spirits. Emma was laughing almost hysterically, and Stacy again indulged in “song.”
“We have never before felt such queer effects from mountain climbing,” Grace confided to her husband.
“It’s the altitude,” he said.
“I don’t agree with you,” differed Grace. “I feel it too strongly.”