the swiss twins-第7章

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It　was　some　time　before　the　children　succeeded　in　getting　the
flock　together　again；　but　at　last　they　were　able　to　drive　them
farther　into　the　woods；　and　away　from　the　dangers　of　the　cliffs；
and　were　soon　fortunate　enough　to　come　upon　a　little　mountain
stream　which　was　singing　its　way　through　the　forest。　Here　the
goats　stopped　willingly　to　drink；　and　for　the　first　time　the
children　were　able　to　give　some　attention　to　Nanni。　Her　back　was
torn　and　bloody；　but　her　injuries　were　not　serious　and　on　the
whole　she　seemed　little　the　worse　for　her　experience。

〃We　must　let　all　the　goats　rest　a　little；〃　said　Seppi。　〃There
isn't　any　food　for　them；　but　they　can　have　a　good　drink　while　we
eat　our　lunch；　and　then　we　just　must　find　that　path。〃

They　sat　down　on　a　rock　and　Leneli　opened　the　bundle　of　food
which　the　old　herdsman　had　given　them。　〃Isn't　it　queer？〃　said
she；　as　she　handed　Seppi　a　piece　of　cheese；　〃I'm　not　as　scared　as
I　was　before　that　dreadful　eagle　came。　Are　you？〃

Seppi　paused　with　his　mouth　open　for　a　bite。　〃Why；　I'm　not；
either！〃　he　said　with　surprise。

Leneli's　eyes　grew　big。　〃Seppi；〃　said　she　earnestly；　〃do　you
suppose；　maybe；　we're　heroes　like　Peter　of　Lucerne；　after　all；
and　never　knew　it？〃

Seppi　thought　about　this　so　seriously　that　for　a　minute　he　forgot
to　eat。　Then　he　said；　〃Why；　of　course　we　are！　We　were　scared　but
we　did　the　right　thing！　My；　but　I'm　glad！〃　He　sighed　with　relief
and　took　a　big　bite　and　munched　away　in　silence。

At　last　he　said　solemnly；　〃Of　course；　now　that　we　know　we　really
are　heroes；　we　won't　be　scared　any　more！　We'll　stop　before　we
begin！〃

Leneli　looked　doubtful。　〃I'm　afraid　I　shall　be　scared　again　if　we
don't　find　the　Pass；〃　she　said。　〃We　might　die　up　here　in　the
mountains　just　like　Moses　in　sight　of　the　promised　land。　And　some
time　maybe　a　hunter　would　find　our　bones　lying　scattered　about　on
the　ground。〃　She　sniffed　a　little　at　this　pathetic　picture；　and
her　eyes　filled　with　tears。

〃Look　here；〃　said　Seppi；　jumping　to　his　feet　and　gazing　down　at
her　sternly。　〃Is　that　any　way　for　a　hero　to　talk？　They　aren't
going　to　find　any　bones　of　mine；　I　can　tell　you！　I'm　going　to　get
down　this　mountain　with　all　the　goats；　and　so　are　you！〃

〃Well；〃　said　the　heroine；　doubtfully；　〃I　was　only　supposing。〃

〃Well；　then；　don't　suppose　that　way；〃　growled　Seppi。　〃Just
suppose　we　find　the　pass　and　get　somewhere　in　time　for　supper；
and　get　home　to…morrow！〃

At　that　very　minute　a　bright　thought　struck　him。　〃What　a　silly！〃
he　said。　〃Why　didn't　I　think　of　it　before？　This　stream　runs　down
hill；　and　if　we　follow　it　we　shall　have　to　get　down　to　the
valley；　too。　Come　along！〃

He　was　in　such　a　hurry　to　carry　out　his　idea　that　he　started　at
once　with　his　bread　and　cheese　in　his　hand。

〃But　maybe　it　won't　be　anywhere　near　the　village　where　the
herdsman's　home　is；　if　we　do　get　down；〃　objected　Leneli；　〃we
ought　to　find　the　path。〃

〃We'll　be　more　likely　to　find　it　by　following　the　stream；〃　said
Seppi；　giving　a　loud　blast　on　his　horn；　〃and　if　we　don't　find
that　village；　we'll　find　another　place　just　as　good。　I'll　bet
there　are　some　kind　people　everywhere。〃

Bello　was　at　that　moment　barking　down　a　hollow　log　in　the　hope　of
catching　a　hare；　but　he　obediently　rounded　up　the　goats　when
Seppi　called　him；　and　the　little　caravan　began　to　move。

It　was　not　so　simple　as　it　sounded。　The　stream　had　worn　a　deep
channel　among　the　rocks。　Trees　had　fallen　across　it；　undermined
by　the　swift　current。　Here　it　roared　through　a　narrow　gorge　and
there　spread　into　a　wide　pool；　then　again　plunged　through
underbrush　and　among　rocks　in　its　haste　to　reach　the　lake　far
below。　The　goats　made　slow　progress　and；　whenever　it　was　possible
to　do　so；　wandered　away　into　easier　paths　and　had　to　be　driven
back。

At　last；　to　their　great　relief；　the　children　saw　a　break　in　the
trees；　and　they　rushed　joyfully　forward；　only　to　find　that　the
stream　at　this　point　leaped　over　a　cliff　in　a　waterfall　fifty
feet　high！　The　young　explorers　gazed　at　this　new　difficulty
without　a　word。

Far　below　in　the　green　valley　they　could　see　little　white　specks
which　were　farm　buildings；　and　tiny　villages　nestling　among　trees
along　the　banks　of　a　wide　stream。　They　could　even　see　the　glacier
which　fed　this　river；　lying　like　some　huge　white　monster　along
the　valley；　its　broad　nose　thrust　between　the　banks　on　either
side。

〃Every　time　we　think　we've　found　the　way　out；　we　just　get　deeper
in　than　ever；〃　moaned　Leneli；　at　last。　〃We　can't　get　down　this
way；　and　if　we　did　we'd　have　to　cross　the　glacier。〃

〃It　isn't　a　very　big　one；〃　said　Seppi；　looking　down　at　it。

〃You　can't　tell　from　here；〃　quavered　Leneli。

Seppi　looked　about　him。　To　the　right　the　forest　slopes　stretched
upward　toward　the　mountain…top。　In　front　was　the　plunge；　and　at
the　left　the　stream　gurgled　over　rocks　and　stones　to　its　fall。

〃We'll　just　have　to　cross　it；〃　said　Seppi　firmly。　He　drove　the
goats　back　a　little　way　to　a　place　where　it　was　possible　to　ford
the　stream；　and　in；　a　little　while　the　whole　caravan　stood
dripping　on　the　farther　bank。

〃I'm　going　to　follow　along　the　edge　of　this　cliff；〃　said　Seppi；
〃and　you　and　the　goats　follow　after　me。　I'm　sure　we　shall　find　a
place　where　we　can　get　down。　I'll　keep　calling；　so　you'll　know
which　way　to　go。

He　plunged　into　the　forest　at　the　word　and　was　lost　to　sight；　and
Leneli；　driving　the　goats　before　her；　plunged　after　him。　Guided
by　the　sound　of　the　waterfall；　they　forced　their　way　through
underbrush；　over　great　piles　of　rocks　and　around　perilous　curves；
seeking　always　the　lower　levels；　until　at　last；　when　she　was
almost　ready　to　give　up　in　despair；　Leneli　heard　a　joyful　shout
from　Seppi　and；　hastening　forward；　found　him　at　the　edge　of　the
forest；　looking　out　over　a　wide　range　of　foothills。　The　forest
was　now　behind　them；　and　before　them　lay　green　slopes　spangled
like　the　stars　in　the　milky　way　with　yellow　daffodils　and　blue
gentians。

The　goats；　wild　with　delight　at　seeing　fresh　pasturage；　leaped
forward　and　began　to　browse；　and　dear　old　Bello　sat　down　on　his
haunches　with　his　tongue　hanging　out　and　gazed　upon　the　scene　as
benevolently　as　if　his　own　stomach　were　full　instead　of　empty。
The　children　were　so　weary　they　threw　themselves　down　in　the
grass　beside　him　to　rest。

Now　that　they　had　escaped　the　perils　of　the　forest；　it　almost
seemed　to　them　for　a　little　while　as　if　their　troubles　were　over；
but　by　and　by　Seppi　sat　up　and　studied　the　scene　before　them。　He
looked　past　the　long　slopes　to　the　glacier　and　the　river　in　the
valley　below。

〃We've　got　to　get　across　that　somehow；〃　he　said　to　Leneli；　at
last；　pointing　to　the　stream；　〃and　there　are　only　two　ways　of
doing　it。　When　we　get　down　there；　we　must　either　go　through　the
river；　or　across　the　glacier　which　feeds　it。〃

〃We　can't　go　through　it；〃　answered　Leneli。　〃We　don't　know　how
deep　it　is。〃

〃Then　it　will　have　to　be　the　glacier；〃　said　Seppi；　〃and　I'm　glad
goats　are　so　sure…footed。　We'd　better　start　along；　for　it's
getting　later　every　minute；　and　I'm　bound　to　reach　that　farm…
house　before　dark。〃　He　pointed　to　a　speck　in　the　distance。

〃Oh；　dear；〃　sighed　Leneli；　as　she　followed　his　finger　with　her
eye；　〃it's　like　dying　to　get　to　heaven！　Suppose　we　fall　into
cracks　in　the　glacier？〃

〃You're　the　worst　supposer　I　ever　saw；〃　snapped　Seppi。　〃　Suppose
we　don't　fall　in！　Suppose　we　get　across　all　right　with　all　the
goats；　and　suppose　there's　a　good　woman　at　the　farm…house　who
feeds　us；　and　Bello　too！　Suppose　she　gives　us。。。　what　would　you
like　best　for　supper；　Leneli？〃

〃Oh！〃　cried　Leneli；　clasping　her　hands；　〃soup　and　pancakes！〃

〃Hurry　up；　then；〃　said　Seppi。　〃We　shall　surely　never　get　them；
nor　anything　else；　by　staying　here。〃

Leneli　struggled　to　her　feet；　and　once　more　they　moved　forward。
Half　an　hour　of　brisk　walking　brought　them　to　the　edge　of　the
glacier；　and　here　Seppi　arranged　their　marching　order。

〃I'll　go　first；〃　he　said；　〃the　same　as　a　guide；　then　the　goats；
and　then　you　and　Bello。　You　must　watch　every　step；　and　keep
sticking　in　your　alpenstock　to　be　sure　you　are　on　solid　ice。　If
you　don't；　you　might　strike　a　hollow　place　and　fall　through　the
crust。〃

〃I'll　be　careful；〃　said　Leneli。

〃All　right；　then！　here　we　go！〃　said　Seppi。　〃I　can　just　smell
those　pancakes！〃　and　with　that　he　set　out　across　the　river　of
ice。

The　children　understood　very　well　the　dangers　of　the　glaciers。　It
was　not　simply　a　frozen　stream　on　which　one　might　skate。　It　was　a
great　slow…moving；　grinding　avalanche　of　ice　and　rocks；　full　of
seams　and　cracks　and　holes；　which　was　creeping　steadily　down　the
valley。　The　river　formed　by　the　melting　snows；　gushed　forth　from
beneath　it　and　rushed　away　to　join　the　lake　still　far　below。

Even　the　goats　knew　it　was　a　perilous　journey；　and　besides　they
were　unwilling　to　leave　the　rich　grass　of　the　fields；　so　it　was
with　some　difficulty　that　they　were　finally　driven　forward　upon
the　glacier。　Seppi　led　the　way；　blowing　on　his　little　horn　to
encourage　them；　trying　every　step　with　his　stick；　and　waiting　for
them　to　catch　up　before　going　farther。　They　were　nearly　half　way
across；　when　Seppi　stopped　and　called　to　Leneli　to　stand　still。
There　in　front　of　him　yawned　a　wide　crevasse。　The　frozen　river
had　cracked　open；　and　if　they　went　forward　in　a　straight　line
they　would　plunge　down　into　an　ice　prison　from　which　they　could
never　escape　alive。

It　was　the　hardest　puzzle　and　the　greatest　danger　they　had　met　in
their　whole　journey；　and　for　a　minute　poor　Seppi　almost　gave　up
in　despair。　He　thought　they　would　have　to　go　back　and　try　the
river　after　all。　Shouting　to　Leneli　to　keep　the　goats　together　if
she　could；　he　turned　and　made　his　way　up…stream　along　the　edge　of
the　crevasse。　It　grew　narrower　as　he　followed　it；　and　broke　into
a　number　of　smaller　cracks。

The　only　way　to　get　to　the　other　side　was　to　follow　along　these
smaller　cracks　where　they　made　a　crooked　natural　bridge　across
the　chasm。　Even　Seppi's　stout　heart　quailed　a　little　as　he　gazed
down　into　the　depths　of　the　huge　rifts。　The　walls　of　ice　gleamed
with　wonderful　greens　and　blues；　but　he　had　no　heart　to　admire
the　beautiful　colors。

〃Remember　Peter　of　Lucerne；　and　come　on；〃　he　shouted　back　to
Leneli；　and　without　another　word　started　across　the　treacherous
ice　bridge。　It　made　no　difference　whether　she　was　frightened　or
not；　Leneli　simply　had　to　follow　him　even　though　the　goats；　sure…
footed　as　they　were；　shrank　from　the　journey；　and　Bello　hung　back
and　whined。

〃Follow　exactly　in　my　footsteps；〃　shouted　Seppi；　and　Leneli
swallowed　a　lump　in　her　throat；　grasped　her　alpenstock　more
firmly　and　went　forward。

〃Don't　look　down　into　the　hole！　Look　at　the　bridge　across　it！〃
shouted　Seppi。

He　stepped　carefully　forward；　finding　solid　footing　with　his
stick　before　each　step；　and　in　a　short　time　stood　safely　on　the
other　side　of　the　chasm。　There　he　waited　and　held　his　breath；
while　the　goats　picked　their　way　daintily　across　the　ice　bridge
after　him；　and　when　Leneli　and　Bello　at　last　reached　his　side；　he
hugged　them　both　for　joy。

〃There；〃　he　said；　〃there　can't　be　anything　worse　than　that；　and
we'll　soon　be　on　green　grass　again。

They　passed　other　smaller　crevasses；　bu