“I wish,” said Bessie, “that I could run up to that next corner. The view would be splendid.”
Kittie and the rest were just starting downward. Mr. Selborne heard the Captain’s remark, and instantly was at her side.
“Come on,” he said. “We can do it and catch up with the rest before they reach the hotel.”
Bessie, remembering her experience on Mount Washington the year before, hesitated. But the opportunity was too tempting.
“I’ll go,” she said hastily, “if you’ll hurry, please. Mother will worry about me if I stay up here too long.”
Aided by a strong hand and arm, she clambered up over the bowlders which lay along the mountain slope in a confused mass.
“There!” she exclaimed, in the same tone of triumph with which she had announced the success of her fire on the shores of Nipissing, “we’ve done it, haven’t we?”
After all, it was hardly worth the climb, for the newly gained position only disclosed further reaches, each promising a better outlook than the next below. Rossiter glanced at the gathering clouds.
“Perhaps we’d better start, Miss Bessie,” he said, “if you’ve got your breath.”
If truth be told, Bess would have liked a little longer rest; but she did not like to confess the fatigue she felt. Besides, it was all down hill now, so she held out her hand to her companion without misgiving.