Part 61 (2/2)
Then began the slow descent, sometimes beside, sometimes over the glacier--wherever Melchior could indicate a short cut; the creva.s.ses were pa.s.sed, each bringing up its recollections of their adventures, and at last a more even part of their journey fell to their lot along the polished rock.
But Dale went on in silence, answering Saxe so shortly several times that he dropped back from walking abreast, and went on down for some distance half-way between his companions.
”I can't help it,” he said to himself at last: ”he must be offended if he likes. I don't believe poor old Melk could help the accident. I shall walk with him.”
He waited for the guide to come up, and he was soon abreast, looking inquiringly at him, as if asking what he meant to say. The man's face was dark and heavy of aspect, and he was evidently deeply hurt by Dale's anger; and, in consequence, he looked up with a bright smile as Saxe asked him if he was tired.
”Oh no, herr,” he said; ”my legs are a little heavy, but not so heavy as my heart.”
”Don't take any notice of that,” said Saxe, in a low voice; ”he did not mean anything much. He was angry because I was so nearly killed.”
”Yes; and it was just,” said the guide: ”for I am answerable for your lives. It would have been most horrible if you had gone down there.”
”Yes, of course it would,” said Saxe lightly.
”And I have been thinking it over and over, herr, till I can think no more; for the thoughts always come to the same point. I cannot understand it.”
”Why, the rope got worked up, Melk; that's all.”
”No, herr--impossible: that loop could not have worked up unless hands touched it.”
”Gnomes or kobolds?” said Saxe, smiling as he had not been able to smile in the gloomy ravine.
”Ah, herr! you laugh at the old fancy; but there the matter lies; and I am beginning to think that a great deal of our misfortune is due to the same cause.”
”What! the stone-throwing from the mountain?”
”Yes, herr.”
”Well, don't let us talk any more about it, or you'll be making me fancy all sorts of things after it is dark. How much farther have we to go?”
”A good piece yet, herr; but we know the way. There is no doubt about it. In a little while I shall hurry on before, and get the fire lit, so as to have the tea ready for Herr Dale. I am sorry I have angered him so.”
”Don't say any more about it, and he will soon forget it all.”
”Yes, herr--I hope so,” replied Melchior; ”but I cannot.”
Half an hour after he stepped out, and went silently by Dale, touching his hat as he pa.s.sed, and went on so quickly that he was soon out of sight; and then Dale slackened his pace a little, to allow Saxe to come up.
”Tired and hungry, my lad?” he said.
”Yes, both,” replied the boy. ”I hope Melchior has brought a chicken to broil for tea.”
Dale laughed.
”Well, now you speak of it, I hope so too, for I suppose I am hungry; but all that business put eating out of my head. By the way, Saxe, I am sorry I spoke so sharply to Melchior. The man is very sensitive, and of course he cannot help having a lingering belief in the old superst.i.tions of the people among whom he was raised.”
”I suppose not,” said Saxe thoughtfully.
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