Maxey 195 



It was in the month of September, near its close, 

 that Herbert and Maxey were working their way 

 along the side of a steep and rather barren mountain. 

 They would advance a few steps and halt while some 

 vigorous strokes were given with the pick into what 

 might prove to be ' blossom rock.' It seemed to 

 Herbert he had put his pick into nearly every rod of 

 mountain surface in all that region ; but his efforts 

 had been fruitless. The mountain upon which he 

 stood was of a most forbidding nature. Much of 

 its surface was of unusually hard quartz, and the 

 4 indications ' were anything but favorable for mineral. 

 Herbert was picking away at a crevice which seemed 

 to give a little better promise, while Maxey was trying 

 to secure a little bunch of grass that was growing in a 

 crevice just above him. Suddenly the animal's sharp 

 little feet, which seemed fitted by Nature to take 

 hold on the rocks, slipped ; and, turning quickly, 

 Herbert saw Maxey sliding down the steep descent, 

 his feet striking with marvellous quickness and power 

 on the flinty rocks, but failing to hold. He passed 

 from view ; and for a moment Herbert stood still 

 with horror. The next, he began making his way 



