THE KROTENKOPF AND THE KRAMER. 315 



should certainly have lain down to sleep. Bauer was 

 always far in advance, stopping to wait for me, and 

 urging me on ; for though we were now at last ap- 

 proaching the summit, which was evident from the 

 changed character of the scenery, and from the patches 

 of snow that were lying about, we still had a long way 

 to go, and evening was coming on, and in such a place 

 daylight was as necessary as air to breathe. The moun- 

 tain was of vast size ; and, as I looked upwards to the 

 sky-line, and saw the drear expanse, and felt my sinking 

 strength, it seemed to me impossible that I could ever 

 reach the hut. I had never before known such an utter 

 prostration of strength, such a total want of anything 

 like energy. But still I toiled on as best I could ; 

 though I was obliged — a thing I had never in my life 

 done before — to give my rifle to Bauer to carry for me. 

 The evening was drawing in, and we had still far to go, 

 and the places became more rugged and difficult : every 

 minute was valuable. 



u Pray come on ! If we were only down these rocks 

 I should not care. Once out yonder and all is well ; but 

 here, if it gets dark — you see what a place it is ! Exert 

 yourself— do your best — now then, try once more !" 

 And Bauer again led the way. 



It was quite dark before we got to our destination. 

 I hoped that, when I had eaten something, I should be 

 better, and we therefore hastened to make a fire and 

 cook our supper. Bauer fetched water from a neighbour- 

 ing spring, and, in the darkness, this was not so soon 

 accomplished. I meanwhile tried to get the wood into 

 a blaze, — but oh, the torment of that fire-making ! in- 

 stead of flame, the hearth was involved in smoke, and 

 the wind, pouring down the chimney, sent whole clouds 

 into our smarting eyes. In that small space neither of 



