Part 79 (2/2)
This seen to, Melchior resumed what he was about to say in the ice-cave.
”You will communicate with the authorities, herr, about your great find?”
”Of course,” said Dale.
”That will frighten Pierre, when they come to take charge of the crystals. You cannot punish that poor Heaven-smitten creature Fritz.”
”No, certainly not.”
”Then I would ask you, herr, if the man Pierre is patient and obedient, not to punish him more. He is a poor half-witted creature, and the temptation was too much for him.”
”I shall not punish him.”
”Thank you, herr.”
”But,” said Saxe, ”you said that the authorities would take possession of the crystals!”
”Yes, herr, in the name of the canton. But they will not be ungenerous.
They will like good specimens for our museums; but they will let Herr Dale choose and take what he wishes to his own country. It is for science, and we Swiss are as proud to welcome all scientific men to explore our country as we are to serve those who merely come to admire and return again and again, to see the mountains, glaciers and lakes of our dear fatherland.”
All fell out as Melchior had foretold. Pierre and his follower soon returned with the tent, and humbly accepted some food before loading the mule, and then themselves, with some of the choicest crystals, which were deposited safely in Andregg's chalet. The next day they made a journey with the two animals alone, and brought back more; and again on the following day they set off and brought the rest, Andregg gazing with astonishment at the magnificent collection.
In due time people from the princ.i.p.al city of the canton arrived, and the whole of the crystals were taken on mules to the Rathhaus, where soon after Dale was invited to attend with his companion and their guide.
They went, and were warmly complimented by the chief magistrate and the fathers of the city upon their great discovery, following which they were invited to choose what specimens they liked.
They chose so very modestly that the selection was more than doubled, and in due time reached Old England's sh.o.r.es, to add l.u.s.tre to several collections and museums.
Dale kept his word about Pierre, and quietly incited Saxe to make him a present when they went away.
”Because he doesn't deserve it,” said Saxe, who also made a point of giving the unfortunate cretin an object which set his eyes rolling with delight every time it was taken out. This was a large knife with a collection of odds and ends stored in the handle: toothpick, lancet blade, tweezers, screwdriver, horse-hoof picker, and corkscrew, the latter being, as Saxe said, so likely to prove useful.
A month later, after a warm parting from old Andregg and his wife, who made her ap.r.o.n quite wet with tears, and insisted upon presenting Saxe with a very nasty-smelling cheese of her own make, the little party journeyed back through the various valleys, and on to the lovely lake of deep waters, where the mountains rose up like walls on either side, and then on and on to Waldberg, whence they were to start next day for home.
And then came the parting from the guide--the brave, faithful companion of many months.
”And now, Melchior!” said Dale, ”I want you to accept this, not as payment, but as a gift from one friend to another--a present to the man whose hand was always ready to save us in perilous times.”
”That, herr!” said Melchior. ”No, no: you have paid me n.o.bly, and it has not been work, but a pleasure journey with two friends.”
”Nonsense, man: take it.”
”But, herr!” cried Melchior. ”That watch for a poor Swiss guide!--it is gold!”
”Well, man, yours is a golden heart! Take it, and some day you may tell your son that it came from an English boy and man who looked upon you as friends. The watch was mine; the chain is from Saxe here: they are yours.”
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