Peaks of the Coiitial lirou]). 



tliere were only brief moments wlien the mist would grow 

 slightly thinner, so that thev could just make out the 

 uncertain outline of tlie highest peak. 



There \\ere only two ways to reach it. They must either 

 descend to the gap and thence attempt to scale tlie ice Avail 

 oyerlumg by the formidable cornice, or they must return to 

 the plateau, cross it mider the col, and ascend by tlie 

 east ridge, a long and indirect way, which would ha\e to l)e 

 done in the fog without any sion to miide tliem. As to the 

 question of giving up the ascent fir that da\' and retmning 

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

 was sufficient to show that such an idea never entered their 

 minds. 



By nine o'clock tliey could not endure waiting any longer, 



CI.IMlilNC .VI.E.X.VNDU.V TKAK. 



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

 which was also the more dangerous, and one after another 

 they started down the slope wliich led to the col. They 



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