Peaks of tlie Central Group. 



tliere were onlv brief nionieiits when the mist would grow 

 slightly thinner, so that they could just make out the 

 uncertain outline of the highest peak. 



Theie ^\■ere onlv two ways to reach it. They must either 

 descend to the ^ap and thence attempt to scale the ice wall 

 oyerhung by the formidable cornice, or they must return to 

 the plateau, cross it under the col, and ascend l)y tlie 

 east ridge, a long and indirect way, which would have to be 

 done in the foe: without any sio-n to o'uide them. As to the 

 question of giving up the ascent for that day and returning 

 to camp, a glance at the set determined faces of the guides 

 A\as suHicient to show tliat such an idea never entered their 

 mmds. 



By nine o'clock they could not endure waiting any longer. 



CI,IMBIN(; AI.KXANDKA I'HAK. 



and they decided to take the mountain by the shortest route, 

 M'hich was also the more dano-erous, and o]ie after another 

 they started down the slope M-hich led to the col. They 



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