Part 42 (1/2)

It was dis news, and utterly downcast Dave followed the others to the sheep-station and listened to the details of what the newco story, and while they related it a good hot meal was prepared for them

”We reached the top of the mountain in safety and also the plateau of the smaller mountain beyond,” said Samuel Hausermann ”That was the place for which ere bound Shortly after that the snowstorain one of the old shelters up there between the rocks In journeying around we lost a good portion of our outfit, including some of the provisions, and all we had to live on for two days was some venison--Mr Porter shot a small red deer--and some beans and crackers We had intended to do so of that sort Then one of the party, Mr Jackson, took sick and we had to do e could to get hiain At last Mr Porter went out to see if he couldn't bring down soet only some sain, after an elk he had seen at a distance That hen he took the tumble over the cliffs”

”Are you sure he wasn't killed?” asked Dave

”I a, my lad But I think the chances are he fell in the deep snow, or on some of the fir trees, and that that saved his life”

”What time was this yesterday?”

”About noon After that we decided to come down here, and at the same time look for your father Philip Lapham said he would remain, to look after Jackson, as as yet too weak to walk We left all our provisions up there and came down here as fast as we could--and here we are”

This was all Samuel Hausermann could tell, and Charles Davis corroborated his statement Dave shook his head sadly

”Even if my father wasn't killed by the tumble he took, er

”Hope for the best, Dave,” was all the senator's son could answer

The Norwegian guide, Bjornhof, had agreed to go back to the o alone, but Dave said he would go also, to see if he could not find what had becoo also

”Maybe I'd better go too,” said Roger

”No, Roger,” answered Dave ”It wouldn't be fair to ask you to do that

There is too much of peril, and you must remember what you promised your mother and father You stay here with Mr Davis and Mr Hausermann” And so it was finally settled

All of the party were provided with knapsacks, which they filled with the best provisions available The guide also carried an extra bag of stuff, strapped across the back of his neck He was a brawny fellow, over six feet in height, and did not seeun, and Dave and Granbury Laphaes

”Good luck to you, Dave,” said the senator's son on parting, and he shook hands warmly ”Reain” He followed his chum a short distance up the mountain trail, and the tere loath to separate

The route was rocky and uncertain, and during the next two hours Dave realized what cli the Alps , using a rope for that purpose Once they crossed a split in the rocks several feet wide and of great depth, and itdepths below

Yet he thought very little of the perils of that arduous journey His mind was constantly on his parent Would he find his father alive, or had the fall over the cliffs killed his parent?

”God grant he is alive!” he said to hiain

They had started directly after breakfast, and by noon reached a small level spot where they took a well-deserved rest Frouide pointed out the cliffs from which Mr Porter had fallen

”But you cannot reach them from here,” he explained, in his native dialect, to Granbury Laphaet to them we must walk at least a mile further And even then I know of no way to reach the spot to which the poor man fell”

”I'll reach that souide's words had been translated to him

”Well, lad, you must be careful,” cautioned Granbury Lapha your life, you know”

But Dave merely shook his head He was bound to find his father, dead or alive, nohe could think of absolutely nothing else That, and that alone, possessed him, heart and soul

The air was clear, with little or no wind, which was one coes of snow and over hu down the mountain side There were but few trees in that vicinity, although a srew at the foot of the cliffs