Part 26 (1/2)

Ropes were also to be taken, they might come in handy in many ways. The skipper was an old Alpine-club man, and well did he know his way about.

Provisions for a whole week, and just a little rum in case of illness or over-exertion, for in the bitter cold of upper regions like those they were about to visit, exhaustion may often come on soon and sudden.

The captain himself made choice of three brave st.u.r.dy fellows to accompany the expedition and carry the necessaries as well as instruments of observation.

”And now, youngsters,” said Talbot one evening, ”which two of the three of you are to be of the party.”

”I think,” he added, ”you better toss for it. I daresay you are all burning to come.”

Duncan and Conal smiled and nodded, but Frank shook his head.

”I expect,” he said, ”there will be precious little burning high up yonder unless you happen to take a header into the crater. I'm not going to get frozen, I can a.s.sure you. I want to stick to all my toes, so toss away if you like, sir. Perhaps an Irishman or two might suit you best.”

”Why, Frank?” said Duncan.

”Why? Because they're all fond of a drop of the crater (crayture), don't you see?”

”How could you make so vile a pun, old Frank?”

Vike seemed to know that an expedition of some kind was being got up.

He put one great paw on Duncan's knee and looked appealingly up into his face.

”You might want my a.s.sistance,” he seemed to say.

”No, doggie, no, not this journey,” said Duncan, smoothing his bonnie head.

So Vike lay down before the fire, heaving a deep sigh as he did so.

Although all dogs sigh more or less--their intimate a.s.sociation with mankind being the usual cause--still sighing seems to be an especial characteristic of the n.o.ble breed we term Newfoundland.

Everything was ready and packed, including, of course, a long plank and a light but strong rope-ladder many fathoms in length.

It was a very bright and beautiful morning when the little expedition started; the crew manning the rigging and giving three times three of those ringing British cheers that are heard wherever our ensign--red, blue, or navy-white--flutters out on the breeze.

It was but little past sunrise. The oriel windows of the glorious S.E.

were still painted in colours rare and radiant, but hardly a breath of air blew across the untrodden fields of snow that now stretched out and away to the westward--a good ten miles, until bounded at last by the great rising hills.

Silence now as deep as death.

They were deserted even by the birds.

But in a great snow-clad wilderness like this, with unseen, unheard-of dangers, mayhap, ahead, what a comfort it is to know that He who made the universe is ever near to all those who call upon Him even in thought, if in spirit and in truth.

The s.h.i.+p was out of sight now, hidden by bluffy ice-covered rocks; and Talbot was acting as guide to the party, taking the direction which he believed would lead him to the side of the mountain which appeared to be most accessible.

For more than a mile the ”road” was rugged indeed.

”There's many a slip twixt the cup and the lip,” says the old adage.