the swiss twins-第4章

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might　get　the　idea　that　he　didn't　know　any　more　than　she　did。
Leneli　usually　believed　whatever　he　told　her；　and；　this　question
being　settled；　she　went　on　with　her　knitting。

The　goats　grazed　peacefully　about　them；　the　air　was　very　still
and　grew　quite　warm　in　the　sunshine。　About　the　snow…white　crest
of　the　Rigi　little　wisps　of　clouds　were　gathering。　They　grew
longer　and　longer　and　sank　lower　on　the　mountain…side。

〃It's　raining　in　Lucerne；〃　said　Seppi。

The　clouds　fell　still　lower　and　spread　over　the　whole　valley；
until　the　children　from　their　high　seat　looked　out　over　a　sea　of
mist。　There　were　sounds　of　distant　thunder　from　the　rolling
clouds　and　vivid　flashes　of　lightning　far　below　them。

〃It's　a　little　lonesome　up　here　with　all　the　world　shut　away　out
of　sight；　and　nobody　around　but　God；　isn't　it？〃　said　Leneli
timidly。

〃There　are　the　goats；　and　Bello；〃　answered　Seppi　comfortingly。　He
looked　straight　up　into　the　sky。　Little　wisps　of　clouds　were
gathering　around　the　crest　of　old　Pilatus　now。　The　sun　was
suddenly　hidden；　and　he　felt　a　drop　of　rain。　〃It's　going　to　rain
here　in　a　minute；　and　hard；　too；〃　he　said。

〃What　shall　we　do？〃　cried　Leneli；　rolling　up　her　knitting　and
springing　to　her　feet。

〃Get　wet；　I　guess；〃　answered　Seppi。　〃There's　no　shelter。〃

〃There　must　be　something；〃　said　Leneli。　〃I'll　look；　while　you　and
Bello　get　the　goats　together。〃　She　dashed　away　as　she　spoke；　and
soon　from　a　point　farther　down　the　mountain　they　heard　her　call。

Goats；　Bello；　and　Seppi；　all　came　thundering　down　the　path
together　and　found　her　huddled　under　an　overhanging　rock；
sheltered　by　the　branches　of　a　spreading　pine。　Bello　and　Seppi
dived　under　the　rock　beside　her；　and　the　goats　gathered　close
about　them　just　as　the　storm　broke　in　earnest。　The　lightning
flashed；　the　thunder　rolled；　and　the　rain　came　down　in　torrents；
making　a　gray　curtain　of　water　about　the　rock。　The　children
shrank　back　under　the　shelter　as　far　as　they　could　go；　and
neither　one　said　a　word；　except　once　when　a　stream　of　water
suddenly　ran　down　the　back　of　Leneli's　neck。　Then　she　jumped　and
said　〃Ow；〃　in　a　voice　that　Seppi　heard　even　above　the　roar　of　the
thunder。

For　a　long　time　they　sat　there　while　the　storm　raged　about　them。
Then　the　thunder　went　roaring　away　farther　and　farther　down　the
valley；　the　rain　ceased；　and　the　sun　came　out。

〃The　storm's　over；〃　said　Seppi。　〃Let's　get　out　of　here。〃

The　goats　had　already　scattered　and　were　nibbling　tufts　of　wet
grass；　when　the　two　children　crawled　out　from　under　the　rock。
Leneli's　dress　was　quite　muddy　where　the　rain　had　come　through
the　crack　and　poured　down　her　neck；　and　she　was　twisting　herself
round；　trying　to　see　the　extent　of　the　damage；　when　suddenly
there　was　a　terrific　roar　and　rumble　as　if　the　thunder　had　begun
all　over　again；　though　the　sky　was　blue　and　clear。　Crash　followed
crash；　and　there　was　a　sound　of　great　rocks　falling　from　dizzy
mountain…heights　far　above　them。

The　children　clung　to　each　other　in　terror；　the　goats　trembled；
and　Bello　crept　farther　under　the　rock。　〃The　avalanche！〃　gasped
Leneli；　shaking　with　fright。　〃Father　thought　there　wouldn't　be
any　more　this　spring！　Oh；　I　wish　we　were　home！〃

Far　down　the　mountain…side　there　were　sounds　of　mighty　trees
being　torn　up　by　the　roots　and　of　rocks　broken　from　the　cliffs
and　bounding　from　ledge　to　ledge。

It　seemed　as　if　the　whole　world　were　being　torn　to　pieces。　At
last　the　terrible　roar　ceased　and　a　terrible　silence　settled　over
the　mountains。　The　children　knew　well　the　awful　dangers　of　the
avalanche。　Ever　since　they　could　remember　they　had　heard　stories
of　travelers　buried　alive　under　masses　of　snow　and　ice；　and　of
whole　villages　swept　away；　or　so　covered　with　stones；　trees；　and；
earth　that　not　a　sign　of　them　was　ever　seen　again。

Their　first　thought　was　of　their　mother。

〃Oh；〃　shuddered　Leneli；　〃do　you　suppose　our　house　was　in　the　path
of　it？〃

Seppi　thought　a　moment；　then　he　said　soberly；　〃No；　that　couldn't
be；　for　there　is　a　wide　hollow　between　our　farm　and　the　mountain…
slope　that　would　have　to　be　filled　first。　I'm　quite　sure　no
avalanche　could　possibly　carry　the　house　away。〃

〃FatherFritz；〃　sobbed　Leneli。

〃They　are　far　round　on　the　other　side　of　the　mountain　by　this
time；〃　said　Seppi；　〃where　the　sun　has　not　yet　had　so　much　chance
to　melt　the　snow　and　start　avalanches。　They　could　not　have　been
harmed　by　this　one；　for　it　fell　on　our　side　of　the　mountain。〃

〃Let　us　start　home　anyway；〃　said　Leneli；　〃even　if　it　is　early。　I
can't　wait　until　night　to　know　that　Mother　and　Baby　Roseli　are
safe。〃

〃We　ought　to　keep　the　goats　up　here　eating　all　day；〃　objected
Seppi；　〃or　they　won't　give　any　milk　to…night。〃

〃They　may　not　give　much　anyway；〃　answered　Leneli；　〃because
they've　been　so　frightened；　but　we　will　let　them　go　slowly　and
they　can　get　a　bite　here　and　there　as　they　go。〃

She　took　up　her　alpenstock；　a　long　stick　which　she　always　carried
with　her；　hung　the　little　bundle　of　lunch；　tied　up　in　a　cloth；
from　the　end　of　it；　put　the　stick　over　her　shoulder；　and；　calling
Bello；　began　at　once　to　herd　the　goats　together。

Seppi　followed　her　a　little　doubtfully；　and　soon　they　were　all　on
their　way　down　the　steep　mountain　path。　The　sun　was　now　shining
again　as　brilliantly　as　ever；　the　white　clouds　were　floating
lazily　across　the　deep　blue　sky；　and　it　did　not　seem　as　if
anything　unusual　could　possibly　have　happened。

Seppi's　conscience　troubled　him。　〃It　was　only　a　thunder…storm
after　all；〃　he　said　to　Leneli；　〃and　the　avalanche　is　past　and
gone。　It　can't　do　any　more　harm。　I'm　afraid　Father　wouldn't　like
us　to　give　up　and　go　home　now。　He　might　think　we　were　no　better
than　babies　to　be　so　scared　when　we　know　we　aren't　hurt。〃

Leneli　did　not　answer；　but　she　kept　right　on　going；　and　for　a
time　they　trudged　along　in　silence。　They　had　reached　the　Giant
Pine　where　the　trails　divided；　and　had　rounded　a　bend　in　the
path；　when　Bello；　who　was　a　little　way　ahead　with　the　goats；
suddenly　set　up　a　furious　barking。

〃It's　that　Nanni；　I　do　not　doubt；〃　said　Seppi。　〃She's　probably
trying　to　break　her　neck　somewhere。〃　He　dashed　ahead　and
disappeared　around　a　high　rock；　Leneli　following　him　at　a　slower
pace。

In　a　moment　Seppi　came　running　back　to　her；　his　face　pale　with
surprise　and　alarm。

〃It　isn't　Nanni；〃　he　gasped；　〃it's　the　avalanche！　It's　all　across
the　pass！　We　can't　get　by。〃

He　seized　his　sister's　hand　and　dragged　her　to　the　top　of　the
rock　which　overlooked　the　pass；　and　there　they　gazed　in　dismay　at
the　scene　before　them。　Where　that　morning　the　procession　from　the
village　had　so　gayly　followed　the　winding　trail　up　the　mountain…
side；　there　was　now　a　great　mass　of　rocks；　ice；　and　snow
completely　blocking　the　path。　Worse　than　that；　the　avalanche　had
made　a　dam　across　the　bed　of　the　mountain　stream　where　the　cattle
stopped　to　drink；　turning　it　into　a　little　lake　which　was　growing
wider　and　deeper　every　moment。　The　goats　were　huddled　together　on
the　brink；　bleating　anxiously；　while　Bello；　completely
bewildered；　ran　back　and　forth；　barking　wildly。

The　children　knew　well　how　serious　their　situation　was；　they　were
alone　on　the　mountain；　the　only　pass　to　the　village　closed；　and
without　food　except　the　lunch　they　had　brought　from　home　that
morning。　For　a　few　moments　they　watched　the　water　rising　steadily
in　the　little　lake；　too　terrified　to　speak；　then　Leneli　said；
〃Let's　go　back　to　the　Giant　Pine　and　think。〃

Seppi　blew　his　little　horn；　but；　instead　of　rounding　up　the
goats；　Bello　only　looked　at　him　and　whined。　It　had　been　a　day　of
tremendous　surprises　to　Bello。　First　Fritz　had　left　him；　then
came　the　thunder…storm；　then　starting　home　in　the　middle　of　the
day　instead　of　at　the　proper　time；　and　now　the　path　itself　was
gone！　No　wonder　he　was　bewildered。　Seppi　dashed　down　to　the
water's　edge　and　drove　the　goats　up　the　trail　again　himself；　and
while　they　snatched　stray　mouthfuls　here　and　there　about　the　pine
tree；　he　and　Leneli　sat　down　under　it　to　think。

〃We　can't　get　home　that　way；　that's　certain；〃　said　Seppi；
pointing　to　the　buried　pass。

〃And　we　can't　stay　here　either；〃　moaned　Leneli；　〃not　if　there　is
a　way　out　in　any　direction。〃

〃There's　the　path　Father　and　Fritz　took　this　morning；〃　said
Seppi。　〃We　might　try　that。　It　must　go　somewhere。〃

〃Perhaps　that　is　blocked　too；〃　said　Leneli。

〃I'll　go　a　little　way　and　see；〃　said　Seppi。　〃You　stay　here　and
watch　the　goats。〃

〃Give　me　your　horn；　then；〃　said　Leneli；　〃and　I'll　blow　it　every
little　while　so　you　can　find　your　way　back。　You　know　Father
always　tells　us　not　to　leave　the　path　because　it's　so　easy　to　get
lost。〃

〃That's　a　good　idea；〃　said　Seppi。　〃See　if　you　can　blow　it。〃

Leneli　put　it　to；　her　lips　and　blew　until　her　face　was　purple；
but　achieved　only　a　dismal　squawk。

〃I'll　keep　the　horn　myself；〃　said　Seppi；　taking　it　from　her；　〃and
every　little　while　I'll　blow　it。　You　can　answer　by　blowing　on　a
grass　stem　the　way　you　did　up　yonder。　Girls　can't　manage　a　horn
anyway。〃

Leneli　was　too　miserable　to　reply；　and　in　another　minute　Seppi
had　disappeared　up　the　strange　path。　For　what　seemed　to　her　a
very　long　time；　Leneli　answered　the　horn；　as　it　grew　fainter　and
fainter　in　the　distance。　Finally　she　could　not　hear　it　at　all。

〃Oh；　what　shall　I　do　if　Seppi's　gone　too？〃　she　moaned　when　her
desperate　signals　brought　no　answer。

Then　her　Mother's　words　came　back　to　her；　and；　plumping　herself
down　on　her　knees　among　the　goats；　she　sent　up　a　fervent　prayer。

〃Oh；　dear　God；〃　she　cried；　clasping　her　hands；　〃Mother　said　we
should　be　very　close　to　you　on　the　mountain　and　I　suppose　you　can
see　me　and　Seppi　both　at　the　same　time；　from　where　you　are。
Please；　please　send　him　back　for　I'm　scared。　Dear　God；　do　please
hurry　and　help　us　find　the　way　down　the　mountain　before　it　gets
dark　and　you　have　to　go　away　to　watch　the　other　side　of　the
world。　Amen。〃

She　rose　from　her　knees　and　listened。　Far　away　there　came　the
sound　of　Seppi's　horn。　〃Oh；　thank　you；　God！　There　he　comes！〃　she
dried　joyfully；　and；　snatching　a　grass…blade；　she　put　it　between
her　thumbs　and　gave　an　answering　blast。

Soon　Seppi　himself　came　bounding　into　sight。　〃Come　along；〃　he
shouted；　waving　his　hand　frantically　toward　the　path；　and　Leneli
at　once　called　Bello；　and　together　they　started　the　goats。

〃The　avalanche　must　have　begun　on　the　other　side　of　our　pass；〃
said　Seppi　when　Leneli　caught　up　with　him。　〃There's　no　sign　of　it
on　this　side。〃

〃Maybe　if　we　follow　far　enough　we'll　find　Father　and　Fritz；〃　said
Leneli；　brightening。

〃I　thought　of　that；　too；〃　answered　Seppi；　〃but　if　there　is　any
way　to　get　down　the　mountain；　I　think　we　ought　to　do　it　on
Mother's　account。　Father　and　Fritz　won't　know　about　it；　so　they
won't　be　anxious；　but　if　we　don't　get　home　Mother　will　think　we
are　killed。〃

〃Oh；　I　wish　we　could　fly；〃　said　Leneli。

〃Then　we　must　wish　for　wings　on　the　goats　too；〃　said　Seppi；　〃for
you　know　Father　said　we　must　take　care　of　them　whatever　happens。〃

Sad　and　frightened　though　she　was；　Leneli　giggled　a　little　at
that。　〃Wouldn't　they　look　funny　flying　through　the　air　with　you
and　me　and　Bello　all　flopping　after　them？〃　she　said。　〃Anyway；
they　might　go　a　little　faster　t