"It’sgoingtobedarkprettysoon，"saidLeneliatlast，tryinghardtoconcealthetrembleinhervoice，"andwearegoingupinsteadofdown。Seppi，doyousupposethereareanybearsandwolvesabouthere？"
"Maybe，"saidSeppi，andtherewasalittlecatchinhisthroat，too。"Butthen，"headded，tryinghardtolookonthebrightsideofthings，"ifthereare，they’dbemuchmorelikelytoeatthegoats。Idon’tbelievetheycaremuchabouteatingpeople。"
"Well，anyway，iftheydo，"quaveredLeneli，"Ihopethey’llbeginwithNanni。"
Theafternoonwaned；theshadowsgrewlongerandlonger，andtheywirejustmakinguptheirmindsthattheymustsoonliedownamongthegoatsbesidethetrailandwaitformorning，whenaturninthepathbroughtthemoutonaspurofthemountainwheretheycouldlookformilesacrossadeepvalleytowardsthewest。
Onthefartherside，rangeafterrangeofsnow-cappedpeaksgavebackthegoldengloryofthesunset，andfromsomewherecamethesoundofanAlpinehornplayingthefirstfewnotesofthehymn"PraiseYetheLord。"
"TheAngelus！"criedLeneliclasping，herhands。"Theycan’thearthechurch-bellsuphere，sotheyblowthehornsinstead。"
Farawayacrossthevalleyanotherhornanswered，thenanotherandanother，andtheechoestookuptherefrainuntilitseemedasifthehillsthemselvesweresinging。
Followingeagerlythedirectionofthesoundthechildrenwereoverjoyedtoseeinthedistancealonelyherdsmanstandingonagreatrockoverlookingthevalley，hislongAlpinehorninhishand，andhisheadbowedinprayer。LeneliandSeppibowedtheirheadstoo，anditcomfortedthemtothinkthattheirmotherintheoldfarm-house，andFatherandFritzonthefar-awayalp，wereallatthatsamemomentprayingtoo。Itseemedtobringthemneartogetherinspiteofthedistancewhichseparatedthem。
Theirprayerssaid，thechildrenhastenedforward，drivingthegoatsbeforethem，andnowthesoundofcow-bellsmingledwiththetinkleofthebellsonthegoats。Anotherturninthepathrevealedagreenpasturewhereaherdofcowswasgrazing，and，justbeyond，aroughsheltermadeoflogswiththeherdsman，stillholdinghishorn，standingbesideit。Hewasgazinginastonishmentatthesightoftwolittlechildrenaloneonthemountainsatsolateanhour。Hewasanoldman，withashaggywhitebeard，andstrangekindeyesthatseemedalwayslookingforsomethingthathecouldnotfind。Besidehim，hisearspointedforwardandhistailpointingback，washisdog。Thedogwasgrowling。
Foraninstantthechildrenstoodstill，notquitedaringtogonearer，butBello，dearfriendlyoldBello，hadnosuchfears。Heranforwardbarkingjoyfully；thetwodogssmelledeachother，andthentrottedbackdownthepathtogetherasiftheyhadbeenfriendssincetheywerepuppies。
Themanfollowedataslowerpace。"Whatintheworldareyoudoinguphereonthemountainswithyourgoatsatthistimeo’
day？"hesaidtothechildren。
TheTwinstoldhimtheirstory，andhestoodforamomentscratchinghishead，asifheweremuchpuzzledtoknowwhattodowiththem。
"Well，"hesaidatlength，"youcan’tgetdownthemountaintonight，that’scertain；andyoumustbehungryenoughtoeatanoxroastedwhole，that’scertaintoo。Andyourgoatsarehungryintothebargain。Goatsaren’tallowedinthispasture，buttheymustn’tstarveeither。Nothingisasitshouldbe。"
Hescratchedhisheadagain，andLeneli，fearinghewasgoingtoturnthemaway，couldnotkeepalargetearfromrolling，downhernoseandsplashingoffherchin。
"There，there，"saidtheoldherdsman，comfortingly，"don’tyoucry，sissy。Thingsaren’tsobadbutthattheymightbeworse。
Youcansleepinthehayupyonder，"hejerkedhisthumbtowardthehut，"andI’llgiveyouabitetoeat，andthegoatswillhelpthemselves，I’venomannerofdoubt。"
"Wecandrinkgoat’smilk，"saidLenelitimidly，"andyoumayhaveallwedon’ttake。"
"We’llhavetomilkthemfirst，"saidSeppi，"andwe’veneverdoneitbefore。Motheralwaysdoesthemilking。"
"Iknowhow，"saidLeneliproudly。"Don’tyouremember，FritztaughtmethedayNanniswallowedmylunch？"
"I’lllendyouamilk-pail，"saidtheherdsman。"Thecowswereallmilkedsometimeago。"
Hewentbacktothebutandsoonreappearedwithtwopails，andasLenelistruggledwithonegoathemilkedanother，whileSeppifedbothcreatureswithtuftsofgrasstokeepthemquiet。Itwasthefirstgoodgrassthegoatshadseensincemorning，andapparentlytheyweredeterminedtoeatthepastureclean。
Theherdsmanlookedatthemanxiouslyandscratchedhisheadagain。"Theycertainlyhavehealthyappetites，"hesaidwoefully；
"theydon’tcalculatetoleaveanythingbehind’embutstonesandgravel！"
Themilkingtooksometimeandafteritwasdone，theoldmanplacedthesadandtiredchildrenonthebenchbesidehisdoor，andwhiletheyatethefoodhegavethemandwatchedthemoonriseoverthemountains，hetoldthemabouthishomeinthevillagefifteenmilesawayatthefootofthepass，andabouthiswifeandtwograndchildrenwholivedtherewithhim。
"Theonlythingyoucando，"hesaid，"istogodownthepassonthissideofthemountain。Youcanspendthenightatmyhouseoratsomefarm-houseonthewayanditisonlyabouttenmilesbacktoyourownvillagefromthefootofthepass。"
"Buthowcanwefindtheway？"quaveredpoorLeneli。
Theoldmanscratchedhishead，ashealwaysdidwhenhewaspuzzled，andfinallysaid，"Well，I’mblestifIcantellyou。
It’sahardpass。I’dgowithyou，butI’malonehereandIcan’tleavethecowsevenforhalfaday。I’llstartyouright，thedogandthegoatshavesomesenseoftheirown；andthegoodGodwillguideyou。Besides，Swissboysandgirlsareneverafraid。"
"I’malittleafraid，Ithink，"confessedLeneli。Shelookedatthemoonandthoughthowitmustbeshiningdownontheoldfarm-
house；andofhermother，whoatthatverymomentmustbefranticwithfearsfortheirsafety；andofthelongandperilousjourneybeforetheycouldseeheragain，andthoughshetriedhardtoswallowthem，threelittlesobsslippedout。
Theoldmanheardthem。"Why，blessme，blessme，"hesaid，rumplinghishairuntilitstoodonend，"thiswillneverdoatall！Why，blessus，thinkofWilliamTell！ThinkofPeter，wholivedlongagoinyourownLucerne，andwhosavedthewholecity！
Totakealittleherdofgoatsdownastrangepassischild’splaycomparedwithwhathedid；andhewasonlyaboylikeSeppihere，andIalwaysthoughtgirlswerebraverthanboys。"
Lenelisatupandsniffedresolutely。"Ithink——I’malmostsure——
I’mgoingtobebravenow，"shesaid。"TellusaboutPeter。"
"Well，itwaslikethis，"saidtheherds-man。"Peterwasasmart，likelyladenough，butnobodythoughthewasahero。Infact，heneversuspectedithimself。Yousee，youcan’ttellwhetheryouareoneornotuntilsomethinghappensthatcallsforcourage。Thenifyoudotherightthing，whetheryouareafraidornot，you’llknowyouareone。Well，onesummernightthisPeterwentouttohaveaswiminthelake，andwhenhecrawleduponthebanktodressagain，hewassotiredhefellasleep。Byandbyhewaswakenedbyvoicesand，openinghiseyes，hesawfiveorsixmencreepingstealthilyalongthelake-shore。
"’Aha，’saysPetertohimself，’that’snotthewalkofhonestmen。’
"Hegotuponhiselbowinthelonggrassandwatchedthemwithoutbeingseen。Hesawmanymoremenstealsilentlyafterthefirstgroup，andamongthemherecognizedtheBailiffofRothenburg，whomheknewtobeanAustrianandtheswornenemyofLucerne。Hesawthementalktogetherandheardenoughofwhattheypaidtobesurethatdangerthreatenedhisbelovedtown。Sowhentheymovedon，hefollowedthem，slippingalongbehindrocksandbushes，untilsuddenlytheydisappearedasiftheearthhadswallowedthem。Petergropedabouthuntingforthemuntilatlasthesawafaintlightshiningfromoutadarkcavernamongtherocks。Then，thoughheknewhowdangerousitwas，hefollowedthelightandfoundhimselfinalong，darktunnel。"
"Oh，"shudderedLeneli。"Icouldneverbeasbraveasthat。I
don’tlikedarkplaces。"
"Peterknewthatatunnelranunderneaththewallsofthetownandthattheotherendofitopenedbyatrap-doorintoastableinLucerne，"wentontheoldmanwithoutnoticingLeneli’sinterruption，"andatoncehesawthatsometraitormusthavetoldtheAustriansofthissecretpassage。Hecreptcloserandclosertothegroupofmen，untilhewasnearenoughtohearwhattheysaid。Youmaybesurehisbloodrancoldinhisveinswhenheheardthevoiceofamanheknew，tellingtheAustriansjusthowbesttheycouldcapturethetown！HeknewthatterriblethingswouldhappeninLucernethatnightiftheenemyeverreachedtheotherendofthetunnel，andatoncemadeuphismindthathemustalarmthetown。Hedroppedonhishandsandkneesandwasbeginningtocrawlbacktowardtheentrance，whenheheardsomeonecomingintothetunnel！Hesprangtohisfeetandtriedtorunpast，butthepassagewasnarrow，andhewascaughtatonceanddraggedintothelight。"
"Oh！Oh！"gaspedtheTwins，breathlesswithexcitement。"Itsoundsjustlikeabaddream。"
"Itwasnodream，"saidtheoldherdsman，"forwhenthetraitor，whosenamewasJeandeMalters，sawPeter，hewasterriblyangry。
’Howdidyoucomehere，’heroared，inavoicethatmadetheearthshake。
"’Iwasasleeponthebankandyouwokemeup，soIfollowedtoseewhatwasgoingon，’saidPeter。
"’Idon’tbelieveyou。Someonesentyoutospyuponus，’saidJeandeMatters，andheshookPeter。’Whosentyou？’
"’Noone，’saidPeter。’Ihavetoldyouthetruth。’
"’Youlie，’saidhiscaptor。"Igiveyoujusttwominutestotellwhosentyou，andifyoudonottellusthen，youshalldie！’
"PoorPeterthoughtofhishomeandhismotherandfather，andthereneverwasamorehomesickboyintheworldthanhewasatthatmoment，butthoughhewasterriblyfrightened，hedidnotsayasingleword。
"’Heshalldie，then，’saidJeandeFalters，whenthetwominuteswereup，andPeterhadnotspoken。
"OneoftheAustriansinterfered。’No，’hesaid。’Itwouldbebadlucktobeginthenight’sworkbysheddingthebloodofachild。
Makehimswearhewillnottellwhathehasseentoanylivingsoul，andlethimgo。’
"InspiteofJeandeMatters，whowasboundthatheshouldbekilled，thatwaswhattheydid，andthemomenthewasfreeyoumaybesurePeterranlikethewindforhome。
"Nowyousee，"saidtheoldherdsman，andheshookhisfingeratSeppiandLeneli，"IthiswasadreadfulpositionforPeter。Hehadsolemnlypromisednottotellalivingsoulwhathehadseenandheard，butifhedidn’ttell，hisparentsandfriendswouldbemurderedbeforemorning。
"ThateveninghisfatherandanumberofothermenweregatheredtogetherinthetownhallofLucernetotalkovercommunityaffairs，whenPetersuddenlyburstintotheroom，hiseyesasbigassaucers。
"Themengatheredabouthim，thinkinghemusthavesometremendouspieceofnews，butPeterspokeneverawordtothem。
Instead，hemarcheduptothegreatporcelainstovethatstoodintheroom。
"’OStove，’saidPeter，’IhavejustheardterriblethingswhichIhavepromisednottotelltoalivingsoul，butyou，OStove，havenosoul，sotoyouIwillsaythattheAustriansarenowinthetunnelunderneaththewallsandthatatmidnighttheywillbreakinandsackthetown。’
"AtfirstthementhoughtPeterhadgonecrazy，butwhenhehadfinishedtellingthestoveallhehadseenandheard，theyflewtoalarmthetownandgettheirweapons。
"Atmidnight，whentheAustrianscameupthroughtheholeinthestablefloor，theywerereceivedbyalittlearmyofmenofLucerne，andinthebattlethatfollowedtheywerecompletelywhippedanddrivenfromthetownforever。AnditwasPeterwhosavedthecity。
"YouseethatwasPeter’schancetoshowwhathewasmadeof，andhedidn’tmisshischance。Hedidtherightthing，eventhoughhewasafraid。It’sagreatthingnottomissone’schance。"
Theoldherdsmanlookedupatthemoonasifhehadn’tmeantanyoneinparticularwhenhesaidthataboutmissingone’schance，andthechildrendidn’tsayawordforaminute。
ThenSeppisaid，"IfPetercouldsaveawholetown，Iguesswecangetdownthatpasswithafewgoats。"
"Why，ofcourse，"saidtheherdsman。"It’syourchance，yousee，andwhenyougethomeverylikelyyou’llfindyouarebothheroes。Youseeiftherewereneveranydanger，therenevercouldbeanyheroesatall！Nowclimbupintothehay，bothofyou，andI’llwakeyouforanearlystartinthemorning。"
V。THEPASS
THEPASS
Allnightlongthechildrensleptsoundlyinthehayloft，withthemoonpeeringinatthemthroughthechinksbetweenthelogs。
Inthemorningtheywereawakenedbythemusicofcow-bells，andbythevoiceoftheoldherdsman，whostuckhisheadupthroughtheholeinthefloorandcalledout"Wakeup，myyoungheroes！
ThesunisalreadylookingoverthecrestofRigi，andit’stimeyouwereonyourway。"
SeppiandLenelisatupandrubbedtheireyes，andforamomentcouldnotthinkwheretheywereorhowtheycametobethere。
Thentheyremembered，and，springingfromtheirrudebeds，ranoutintothegloriousmorningandwashedtheirfacesandhandsinthemountainstreamthatflowednearthehut。Thentherewerethegoatstobemilked，andbreakfasttobeeaten，andtheshadowswerealreadyshorteningwhenatlasttheywerereadyfortheirlonelyanddangerousjourney。
Theoldherdsmanpackedsomebreadandcheeseintheirlunch-
cloth，Lenelislungthebundleonheralpenstock，andSeppicalledBellotoherdthegoats。Butthegoatswerewellpleasedwiththerichgreengrassofthealp，andwereunwillingtoleavethepasture。Theyfriskedandgamboledandstoodontheirhindlegsbuttingeachotherplayfully，anditwassometimebeforeSeppiandBellocouldgetthemfairlystarted。
Theoldherdsmanhaddonehismilkingveryearlyinordertogoalittlewaywiththechildren，andnow，leavingthecowsinchargeofhisfaithfuldog，heledthewaydownthesteepmountainpath。
Themorningairwassoclearandsparklingandthesunshonesobrightuponthesnow-cappedpeaks，thatthechildrenalmostforgotthedangersoftheunknownpath。Itseemedimpossiblethatanythingcouldhappentotheminsuchawonderfulandbeautifulworld，andtheysaidgood-byequitecheerfullytothegoodoldherdsmanwhenatlasthestoppedandtoldthemhemustgobacktohischeese-making。Fromtheplacewheretheystood，theycouldseethepathlikeatinythread，windingthroughforests，downalong，narrowvalleyshutinbyhighcliffs，pastwaterfallsfedbymountainsnows，andlosingitselfatlastwhereatinywhitesteeplemarkedthelittlevillagewhichwasthehomeoftheoldherdsman。Theoldmanpointedtoit。"FollowthepathandrememberPeterofLucerne，"hesaid。"Thisisyourchance！TrustthegoodGod，donotbeafraid，andsoonyourtroubleswillbeoverandyouwillbeoncemoreinyourmother’sarms。"Hestoodonarockandwatchedthelittleprocessionuntilabendinthepathhiditfromsight，thenhewentbacktohislonelypasture。
Foranhourorso，thechildrentrudgedquitecheerfullyontheirway。"Thisisn’thardatall，"saidSeppi。"Thepassiseasiertofollowthanourown。Howsillyweweretobescared！"
Theyweresousedtoclimbingaboutinperilousplacesthatwhenalittlelaterthepathledthemalongashelf-likeprojectiononthesideofsteepcliffs，overhangingamountainstream，theywerenotfrightened。Butwhentheybegantogrowtired，andthetrailledthemintoadarkforest，wherethesuncamethroughthethickboughsandshoneonlyinpatchesoflightupontheslipperyspruceneedles，theygrewlesscourageous。
"Idon’tliketheforest，"saidLeneli，shiveringalittleandlookingbehindher。"Italwaysseemsasifthingswouldhappentoyouinthewoods。"
"Whatkindofthings？"saidSeppi，whowasbeginningtofeelabitshakyhimself。
"Why——youknow，"answeredLeneli，"thekindofthingsthatgiantsanddragonsanddwarfsdo！Andthenthere’sthatstoryaboutPontiusPilate。YouknowouroldMountPilatuswasnamedthatbecausetheysayhisbodywasthrownintooneofitslakes，andhisspirithauntsthemountain。Heonlycomesoutonceayear，butoh，Seppi，supposethisshouldbethetime！"
"Huh！"saidSeppiscornfully。"Girls’talk！OfcourseIdon’tbelievesuchthings；besides，heonlycomesoutonGoodFriday，anyway！"
"Well，"saidLeneli，"lotsofpeopledobelievethem，evengrown-
uppeople。"
"Pooh，"saidSeppi，andjusttoshowthathedidn’tcareatallaboutsuchidletaleshebegantowhistle；butLenelinoticedthathetoolookedbehindhimnowandthen。
Itgrewmoreandmoredifficulttofindtheway，fortherewereopeningsbetweenthetreesthatlookedlikepathsandthetruepathwoundinandout，andcamenearlosingitselfentirelyamongtherocks。Thebrownneedlescoveredthegroundineverydirection，sothepasswasnodifferentincolorfromtherestoftheforestfloor。Whentheylookedbehindthemorpeeredfearfullyunderthespruceboughsfordwarfsorgiants，ofcoursetheywerenotwatchingthetrailcarefully，andso，whensuddenlytherewasaloudwhirringnoiseabovethetreesandagreatbirdflewalmostovertheirheads，theyweresostartledtheyjustranwithoutnoticingwhichwaytheyweregoing。Bellowasstartledtoo，andbegantobark。Thisstartedthegoats，andbeforeyoucouldsay"JackRobinson"children，dog，goats，andallweregallopingpell-mellthroughthewoods。
Aftertheloudwhirringnoisetheforestwasstillagain，andthechildrenstoppedtheirmadrace，buttheycouldnotstopthegoats。OnandontheyranwithBelloafterthem，andtherewasnothingforthechildrentodobutfollow，forhadnottheirfathertoldthemthatthewelfareofthewholefamilydependeduponthegoats，andifanyshouldbelost，theyalonewouldbetoblame？Stumblingoverroots，dodgingtreesandrocks，theyplungedwildlyalonguntilfinallytheysawalightspotaheadandamomentlatercameoutsuddenlyupontheedgeofaprecipice，fromwhichtheycouldlookstraightdownintoadeepvalleybelow。Thegoatsweretherebeforethemhuddledtogetheranthebrowofthecliff，bleatingpiteously。Bellosatonhishauncheswithhistonguehangingoutandlookedatthescenery！
SeppiandLenelilookedateachotherindismay。
"Nowyou’vedoneit！"saidSeppimiserably。"We’velostthepath，andit’sallyourfault！IfwehadbeenthinkingaboutPeterofLucerneinsteadofaboutthosesillyoldgiantsanddwarfs，thiswouldnothavehappened。"
"YouwerejustasscaredasIwas，"saidLeneli，"andyouneedn’ttrytolayitallonme！YoujumpedandranjustassoonasI
did，whenthatbirdflewoverourheads。"
Seppiknewthatthiswastrue，sohesaidnobly："Verywell，let’snotquarrelaboutit。Whatweneedtodoistogetthegoatsbacktothepath。"
Hetooksomesaltfromhispocket，ashisbigbrotherhadtaughthimtodo，andwalkedslowlytowardthem，holdingouthishand。
Nannistretchedherneckforwardandhadtakenjustonelickofthesaltwhensuddenlytheloudwhirringnoisecameagain，therewasaterrificscreamoverhead，andfromthecragsabovethemagreatgoldeneagleswoopeddowntowardsthefrightenedgrouponthecliff，and，stickinghisterribletalonsintoNanni’sback，triedtoliftherbodilyintotheair！Foraninstantsheswungdizzilyovertheedgeofthecliffastheeaglebeathiswingsfuriouslyinanefforttorisewithhisheavyburden。ButinthatinstantSeppileapedforwardand，seizingthegoatbythetail，pulledbackwithallhismight。LenelisprangtotherescueofSeppi，graspinghimfirmlyaroundthewaist，andscreaminglikeawildcatassheaddedherstrengthtohis。
MeanwhileBellobarkedfuriously，andtherestofthegoatsfledbleatingintothewoodsinamadstampede。Itwasalloverinlesstimethatittakestotellit。Thegoat，woundedandbleeding，droppedtotheground，thegreatbirdsoaredawayintothedizzyspacesbeyondthecliff，andthechildrendashedintotheshelterofthewoods，draggingNanniafterthem。Theycouldnotsinkdownonthegroundandrecoverfromtheirfrightastheylongedtodo，forbythistimethegoatshadscatteredamongthetreesandmustbebroughttogetheragainatonce。Bellowasdistractedlytryingtoroundthemup，butashehadnoideaofthedirection。inwhichtodrivethem，theywereallgallopingwildlyabout，firstthisway，thenthat。
Itwassometimebeforethechildrensucceededingettingtheflocktogetheragain，butatlasttheywereabletodrivethemfartherintothewoods，andawayfromthedangersofthecliffs，andweresoonfortunateenoughtocomeuponalittlemountainstreamwhichwassingingitswaythroughtheforest。Herethegoatsstoppedwillinglytodrink，andforthefirsttimethechildrenwereabletogivesomeattentiontoNanni。Herbackwastornandbloody，butherinjurieswerenotseriousandonthewholesheseemedlittletheworseforherexperience。
"Wemustletallthegoatsrestalittle，"saidSeppi。"Thereisn’tanyfoodforthem，buttheycanhaveagooddrinkwhileweeatourlunch，andthenwejustmustfindthatpath。"
TheysatdownonarockandLeneliopenedthebundleoffoodwhichtheoldherdsmanhadgiventhem。"Isn’titqueer？"saidshe，asshehandedSeppiapieceofcheese，"I’mnotasscaredasIwasbeforethatdreadfuleaglecame。Areyou？"
Seppipausedwithhismouthopenforabite。"Why，I’mnot，either！"hesaidwithsurprise。
Leneli’seyesgrewbig。"Seppi，"saidsheearnestly，"doyousuppose，maybe，we’reheroeslikePeterofLucerne，afterall，andneverknewit？"
Seppithoughtaboutthissoseriouslythatforaminuteheforgottoeat。Thenhesaid，"Why，ofcourseweare！Wewerescaredbutwedidtherightthing！My，butI’mglad！"Hesighedwithreliefandtookabigbiteandmunchedawayinsilence。
Atlasthesaidsolemnly，"Ofcourse，nowthatweknowwereallyareheroes，wewon’tbescaredanymore！We’llstopbeforewebegin！"
Lenelilookeddoubtful。"I’mafraidIshallbescaredagainifwedon’tfindthePass，"shesaid。"WemightdieuphereinthemountainsjustlikeMosesinsightofthepromisedland。Andsometimemaybeahunterwouldfindourboneslyingscatteredaboutontheground。"Shesniffedalittleatthispatheticpicture，andhereyesfilledwithtears。
"Lookhere，"saidSeppi，jumpingtohisfeetandgazingdownathersternly。"Isthatanywayforaherototalk？Theyaren’tgoingtofindanybonesofmine，Icantellyou！I’mgoingtogetdownthismountainwithallthegoats，andsoareyou！"
"Well，"saidtheheroine，doubtfully，"Iwasonlysupposing。"
"Well，then，don’tsupposethatway，"growledSeppi。"Justsupposewefindthepassandgetsomewhereintimeforsupper，andgethometo-morrow！"
Atthatveryminuteabrightthoughtstruckhim。"Whatasilly！"
hesaid。"Whydidn’tIthinkofitbefore？Thisstreamrunsdownhill，andifwefollowitweshallhavetogetdowntothevalley，too。Comealong！"
Hewasinsuchahurrytocarryouthisideathathestartedatoncewithhisbreadandcheeseinhishand。
"Butmaybeitwon’tbeanywherenearthevillagewheretheherdsman’shomeis，ifwedogetdown，"objectedLeneli；"weoughttofindthepath。"
"We’llbemorelikelytofinditbyfollowingthestream，"saidSeppi，givingaloudblastonhishorn，"andifwedon’tfindthatvillage，we’llfindanotherplacejustasgood。I’llbettherearesomekindpeopleeverywhere。"
Bellowasatthatmomentbarkingdownahollowloginthehopeofcatchingahare，butheobedientlyroundedupthegoatswhenSeppicalledhim，andthelittlecaravanbegantomove。
Itwasnotsosimpleasitsounded。Thestreamhadwornadeepchannelamongtherocks。Treeshadfallenacrossit，underminedbytheswiftcurrent。Hereitroaredthroughanarrowgorgeandtherespreadintoawidepool，thenagainplungedthroughunderbrushandamongrocksinitshastetoreachthelakefarbelow。Thegoatsmadeslowprogressand，wheneveritwaspossibletodoso，wanderedawayintoeasierpathsandhadtobedrivenback。
Atlast，totheirgreatrelief，thechildrensawabreakinthetrees，andtheyrushedjoyfullyforward，onlytofindthatthestreamatthispointleapedoveracliffinawaterfallfiftyfeethigh！Theyoungexplorersgazedatthisnewdifficultywithoutaword。
Farbelowinthegreenvalleytheycouldseelittlewhitespeckswhichwerefarmbuildings，andtinyvillagesnestlingamongtreesalongthebanksofawidestream。Theycouldevenseetheglacierwhichfedthisriver，lyinglikesomehugewhitemonsteralongthevalley，itsbroadnosethrustbetweenthebanksoneitherside。
"Everytimewethinkwe’vefoundthewayout，wejustgetdeeperinthanever，"moanedLeneli，atlast。"Wecan’tgetdownthisway，andifwedidwe’dhavetocrosstheglacier。"
"Itisn’taverybigone，"saidSeppi，lookingdownatit。
"Youcan’ttellfromhere，"quaveredLeneli。
Seppilookedabouthim。Totherighttheforestslopesstretchedupwardtowardthemountain-top。Infrontwastheplunge，andattheleftthestreamgurgledoverrocksandstonestoitsfall。
"We’lljusthavetocrossit，"saidSeppifirmly。Hedrovethegoatsbackalittlewaytoaplacewhereitwaspossibletofordthestream，andin，alittlewhilethewholecaravanstooddrippingonthefartherbank。
"I’mgoingtofollowalongtheedgeofthiscliff，"saidSeppi，"andyouandthegoatsfollowafterme。I’msureweshallfindaplacewherewecangetdown。I’llkeepcalling，soyou’llknowwhichwaytogo。
Heplungedintotheforestatthewordandwaslosttosight，andLeneli，drivingthegoatsbeforeher，plungedafterhim。Guidedbythesoundofthewaterfall，theyforcedtheirwaythroughunderbrush，overgreatpilesofrocksandaroundperilouscurves，seekingalwaysthelowerlevels，untilatlast，whenshewasalmostreadytogiveupindespair，LeneliheardajoyfulshoutfromSeppiand，hasteningforward，foundhimattheedgeoftheforest，lookingoutoverawiderangeoffoothills。Theforestwasnowbehindthem，andbeforethemlaygreenslopesspangledlikethestarsinthemilkywaywithyellowdaffodilsandbluegentians。
Thegoats，wildwithdelightatseeingfreshpasturage，leapedforwardandbegantobrowse，anddearoldBellosatdownonhishauncheswithhistonguehangingoutandgazeduponthesceneasbenevolentlyasifhisownstomachwerefullinsteadofempty。
Thechildrenweresowearytheythrewthemselvesdowninthegrassbesidehimtorest。
Nowthattheyhadescapedtheperilsoftheforest，italmostseemedtothemforalittlewhileasiftheirtroubleswereover，butbyandbySeppisatupandstudiedthescenebeforethem。Helookedpastthelongslopestotheglacierandtheriverinthevalleybelow。
"We’vegottogetacrossthatsomehow，"hesaidtoLeneli，atlast，pointingtothestream，"andthereareonlytwowaysofdoingit。Whenwegetdownthere，wemusteithergothroughtheriver，oracrosstheglacierwhichfeedsit。"
"Wecan’tgothroughit，"answeredLeneli。"Wedon’tknowhowdeepitis。"
"Thenitwillhavetobetheglacier，"saidSeppi，"andI’mgladgoatsaresosure-footed。We’dbetterstartalong，forit’sgettinglatereveryminute，andI’mboundtoreachthatfarm-
housebeforedark。"Hepointedtoaspeckinthedistance。
"Oh，dear，"sighedLeneli，asshefollowedhisfingerwithhereye，"it’slikedyingtogettoheaven！Supposewefallintocracksintheglacier？"
"You’retheworstsupposerIeversaw，"snappedSeppi。"Supposewedon’tfallin！Supposewegetacrossallrightwithallthegoats，andsupposethere’sagoodwomanatthefarm-housewhofeedsus，andBellotoo！Supposeshegivesus……whatwouldyoulikebestforsupper，Leneli？"
"Oh！"criedLeneli，claspingherhands，"soupandpancakes！"
"Hurryup，then，"saidSeppi。"Weshallsurelynevergetthem，noranythingelse，bystayinghere。"
Lenelistruggledtoherfeet，andoncemoretheymovedforward。
Halfanhourofbriskwalkingbroughtthemtotheedgeoftheglacier，andhereSeppiarrangedtheirmarchingorder。
"I’llgofirst，"hesaid，"thesameasaguide，thenthegoats，andthenyouandBello。Youmustwatcheverystep，andkeepstickinginyouralpenstocktobesureyouareonsolidice。Ifyoudon’t，youmightstrikeahollowplaceandfallthroughthecrust。"
"I’llbecareful，"saidLeneli。
"Allright，then！herewego！"saidSeppi。"Icanjustsmellthosepancakes！"andwiththathesetoutacrosstheriverofice。
Thechildrenunderstoodverywellthedangersoftheglaciers。Itwasnotsimplyafrozenstreamonwhichonemightskate。Itwasagreatslow-moving，grindingavalancheoficeandrocks，fullofseamsandcracksandholes，whichwascreepingsteadilydownthevalley。Theriverformedbythemeltingsnows，gushedforthfrombeneathitandrushedawaytojointhelakestillfarbelow。
Eventhegoatsknewitwasaperilousjourney，andbesidestheywereunwillingtoleavetherichgrassofthefields，soitwaswithsomedifficultythattheywerefinallydrivenforwardupontheglacier。Seppiledtheway，blowingonhislittlehorntoencouragethem，tryingeverystepwithhisstick，andwaitingforthemtocatchupbeforegoingfarther。Theywerenearlyhalfwayacross，whenSeppistoppedandcalledtoLenelitostandstill。
Thereinfrontofhimyawnedawidecrevasse。Thefrozenriverhadcrackedopen，andiftheywentforwardinastraightlinetheywouldplungedownintoaniceprisonfromwhichtheycouldneverescapealive。
Itwasthehardestpuzzleandthegreatestdangertheyhadmetintheirwholejourney，andforaminutepoorSeppialmostgaveupindespair。Hethoughttheywouldhavetogobackandtrytheriverafterall。ShoutingtoLenelitokeepthegoatstogetherifshecould，heturnedandmadehiswayup-streamalongtheedgeofthecrevasse。Itgrewnarrowerashefollowedit，andbrokeintoanumberofsmallercracks。
Theonlywaytogettotheothersidewastofollowalongthesesmallercrackswheretheymadeacrookednaturalbridgeacrossthechasm。EvenSeppi’sstoutheartquailedalittleashegazeddownintothedepthsofthehugerifts。Thewallsoficegleamedwithwonderfulgreensandblues，buthehadnohearttoadmirethebeautifulcolors。
"RememberPeterofLucerne，andcomeon，"heshoutedbacktoLeneli，andwithoutanotherwordstartedacrossthetreacherousicebridge。Itmadenodifferencewhethershewasfrightenedornot，Lenelisimplyhadtofollowhimeventhoughthegoats，sure-
footedastheywere，shrankfromthejourney，andBellohungbackandwhined。
"Followexactlyinmyfootsteps，"shoutedSeppi，andLeneliswallowedalumpinherthroat，graspedheralpenstockmorefirmlyandwentforward。
"Don’tlookdownintothehole！Lookatthebridgeacrossit！"
shoutedSeppi。
Hesteppedcarefullyforward，findingsolidfootingwithhisstickbeforeeachstep，andinashorttimestoodsafelyontheothersideofthechasm。Therehewaitedandheldhisbreath，whilethegoatspickedtheirwaydaintilyacrosstheicebridgeafterhim，andwhenLeneliandBelloatlastreachedhisside，hehuggedthembothforjoy。
"There，"hesaid，"therecan’tbeanythingworsethanthat，andwe’llsoonbeongreengrassagain。
Theypassedothersmallercrevasses，buttheycouldmaketheirwayaroundtheendsofthese，anditwasnotlongbeforetheyhadscrambledovertherocksattheglacier’sedgeandoncemorestoodonsolidground。EvenBelloseemedtorealizethattheirtroubleswerenownearlyover，forhebarkedandranroundthemincirclesandleapedupwithhispawsontheirshoulderstogivethemdogkisses，and，asforhistail——henearlywaggeditlooseinhisjoy。Thegoatssprangforwardtoreachthegrass，andwhenthechildrendrovethemon，snatchedgreedymouthfulsastheypassed。Thechildrencouldseethefarm-housegrowingfromamerespecklargerandlargerastheycamedownthevalleytowardit，andatlastthelittlegroupofstragglerspatteredintothedoor-
yard。
Thenoiseofbleatinggoatsandabarkingdogbroughtthefarmer’swifetothedoor，andforamomentshestoodtherewithherbabyinherarmsandlookeddownattheminastonishment，justastheoldherdsmanhaddoneonthemountain。
"Whereintheworlddidyoucomefrom？"shecriedatlast。"Whoareyou？andwhatdoyouwanthere？"
Leneliopenedhermouthtoanswer，butwhenshesawthewoman’skindface，andthebabysuckingitsthumbandlookingatthemsolemnly，itremindedhersoofhermotherandBabyRoselithat，insteadofexplaining，sheburstintotears。
Thewomanclattereddownthestepsofonce，putherfreearmaroundLeneli，andpattedhercomfortingly，whileSeppitoldhertheirstory。Beforehehadgotfartherthantheavalanchepartofit，sheseemedtoguessalltherest。Itwasnotthefirsttimethatpeoplehadbeenlostonthemountain。
"Comerightinthisminute，"shecried。"Don’tstoptotalk！Youmustbeashungryaswolves。I’llgetyousomethingtoeat，andthenyoucantellmeeveryword。"
"Please，"saidLenelitimidly，dryinghertears，"couldyougiveBellosomethingfirst？Thegoatshavehadalittlegrassandwehadsomebreadandcheese，butBellohasn’thadabiteallday。"
"Blessmysoul！"saidthewoman。"Whatalittlewomanitis，tothinkfirstofthedog！Here，"shecriedtoSeppi；"takethisbonetohimrightaway，andshutupthegoatsinthebarn-yard。
ThencomebackandI’llgiveyouwhateveryoulikebest，ifI’vegotit！"
"Ifyouplease，ma’am，"saidSeppi，hiseyesshining，"uponthemountainwhenwewerelost，wesawyourhouseandwejustsupposedthatmaybeyoumighthavesoupandpancakes！"
"Blessmysoul！"criedthewoman。"Soupandpancakesitshallbe，andthat’ssoonready！"
SheputthebabyintoLeneli’sarmsandflewaboutthekitchen，rattlingpotsandpans，stirringupthefire，andmixingherbatter；andwhenSeppireturned，thesmellofpancakeswasalreadyintheair，andthesoupwasbubblinginthepot。Infiveminutesmorethechildrenwereseatedatthekitchentablewithsteamingbowlsbeforethem，whiletheirnewfriendcookedapileofpancakesthatitwouldhavewarmedthecocklesofyourhearttosee。
Thefarmerhimselfwasfarawayonthehighalpswithhiscattle，andcamedownthemountainonlyonceinawhilewithaloadofcheesesonhisback。Hiswifewasverylonelyinhisabsenceandwasgladtohavecompany，ifonlyforasinglenight；soshecomfortedthechildrenandtalkedwiththemabouttheirmother，andpiledpancakesontheirplatesuntiltheycouldnotholdanothermouthful。Thenshehelpedthemmilkthegoats，andwhenthesunwentdown，sentthemtobedsotheywouldbewellrestedfortheirlongwalkthenextday。
VI。NEWFRIENDSANDOLD
NEWFRIENDSANDOLD
Whenthechildrencameintothekitchenthenextmorning，theyfoundtheirnewfriendbeatingmushandmilktogetherfortheirbreakfast，andtherewasasmellofcoffeeintheair。
"Sitrightdownandeat，"saidshe，pushingastooltowardthetablewithherfoot。"I’vemilkedthegoatsforyou。Theydidn’tgivemuch，poorthings，andit’snowonder，aftersuchadayastheyhadyesterday！Thewonderisthattheygaveanyatall。I’vemadecoffeeforyou，foryou’vealongdayaheadofyou，anditwillcheerupyourinsides。It’saluckythingforyouthedayissofine。IthoughtIhearditraininthenight，butoldPilatus’
headhasnocloudcapthismorning，andheisagoodweatherprophet。"
Thebabywasalreadyseatedinherhighchairatthetable，beatinguponitwithaspoontowelcomethem，andthechildrenweresoonseatedbesideherputtingawayagreatstoreofthegoodmush。Thefarmer’swifehadnoonebutthebabytotalktoduringthelongdayswhenherhusbandwasaway，andshemadethemostofhertimewhilethechildrenwerewithher。Shetoldthemallabouthercowsandherpigsandherchickens，justhowmuchhayherhusbandbroughtdownfromhishighlandmeadowonhisbacktheprevioussummer，andhowmanycheesesheexpectedtobringhomefromthealpattheendoftheseason。Andwhenatlasttheyhadeatenalltheycould，sheputupalunchforthem，andgavethemfulldirectionsforreachingtheirownvillage。
"It’snothardatall，"saidshe，"forthoughitisstillalongwaytothefootofthemountain，you’veonlytofollowtheroad，andifyoudon’tknowwhichturntotakeatacross-roads，there’llalwaysbesomebodytoasksomewherealongtheway。Ifyoucouldgetsofardownthemountainandacrosstheglacierbyyourselvesyou’venothingtofearnow，andyou’dbettermakeallthespeedyoucan，formyheartbleedsforyourpoormother。Shemustbehalfdeadwithanxietybynow。"
Shekissedthemgood-byeatthedoorandstoodwithherbabyonherarm，gazingafterthemwhentheydrovethegoatsoutofthedoor-yardandstarteddownthehighwaytowardtheirhome。Theydidnotforgettothanktheirkindhostess，andaftertheyhadstartedturnedagainandagaintowaveafarewelltoher。Shewavedtotheminreturn，andthebabyalsoflutteredhertinypinkhanduntiltheywerequiteoutofsight。
"We’llneverforgether，shallwe？"saidLeneli。
"Never，"answeredSeppi，fervently。"She’salmostasgoodasMother！Anddoesn’tshemakegoodpancakes，though？"
Theysettheirfacesnorthwardandtrudgedalong，hurryingratherthanslackingtheirspeedasthemileslengthenedbehindthem，forasthedistancebetweenthemandtheirhomeshortened，theireagernesstogetthereincreased。Itwasagoodtwelvemilesfromthefarm-housewheretheyhadspentthenighttotheirownvillage，andamilethissideofthevillageandamileupthemountain-slopewastheirowndearhome。This，tothesturdySwissboyandgirl，broughtupinthemountains，wasnotahardwalk，buttheyknewthatgoatsmustnotbedriventoofastiftheyareexpectedtogiveanymilk，soitwaslateafternoonbeforethecavalcadereachedthefootoftheirownhill-sideandbeganthelastclimbofthewearyjourney。
Thechildrencouldseetheirownroof，weighteddownbystones，peepingovertheedgeofthehilllongbeforetheywereanywherenearit，andtheyfastenedtheirhomesickeyesuponitasasailorfixeshisupontheNorthStaratsea。Nowtheycouldseethewholehouse，withthegoat-shedandcow-stablesbackofit，thestraw-stack，andthesouthernslopeofthegarden。
Theystrainedtheireyesforaglimpseoftheirmother，buttherewasnomovementtobeseenanywhereabouttheplace。Eventhebreezehaddieddown，sotherewasnotsomuchasaflutteramongthetreesastheydrewnearerandnearer。Atlast，unabletoholdthemselvesbacklonger，theybrokeintoarunandcamedashingintotheyardwithallthegoat-bellsjingling，Bellobarking，andtheirownvoicesraisedinajoyfulshout："Mother，Mother，whereareyou？We’rehome！"
Buttotheirsurpriseandgreatdisappointment，therewasnoanswer。Thehousewasasstillasifitwereasleep。LeavingthegoatstoBello，thechildrendashedintothekitchen。Therewasnoonethere，andtherewasnosoundbuttheloudtick-tockofthecuckooclock。Theydashedupstairstothebedroomsandbackagaintothekitchen。Everywheresilence。
"It’sjustasifthehouseweredeadwhenMotherisn’tinit，"
sobbedLeneli。"Wherecanshebe？AndRoselitoo！"
"RoseliiswhereMotheris，youmaybesure，"saidSeppi。
Theyranoutdoorsagain，andfoundBellobarkingmadlyatNanni，whowashavingablissfultimewiththecarrot-tops，whichsherefusedtoleaveevenwhenBello，whoknewverywellsheshouldn’tbeinthegardenatall，nippedatherheels。
"We’llhavetoshutupthegoats，"saidSeppi，asherantoBello’sassistance。
Theydrovethemintotheshed，gavethemsomehay，andthenrestedtheirwearylegsforamoment，sitingonthekitchensteps，whiletheyconsideredwhattodonext。
ThenanawfulthoughtstruckLeneli。"Theavalanche！"shegasped。
"Maybeshewascaughtbyit！"
Seppigrewpaleandgulpeddownasob。"No，"hesaid，whenafteramomenthecouldspeak。"Idon’tbelieveit！There’snosignoftheavalancheabouthere，andMothernevergoesawayfromhome。
She’stryingtofindus；that’swhatshe’sdoing！"
Lenelicollapsedonthestep。"Oh，Seppi，"shecried，"doyousupposeshe’slostonthemountainjustaswe’vefoundourselvesandgothomeagain？"Thethoughtwastoomuchforher，andshesobbedafresh。
"Well，"saidSeppi，"cryingwon’tdoanygood。Let’sgoandseeifwecanfindher。"
Wearyastheywere，theystartedatoncetotheirfeettobeginthisnewquest，eventhoughtheshadowswerelongacrosstheflower-starredmountain-slopesandthesunwasalreadysinkingtowardthewest。
Astheyroundedthecornerofthehouse，Seppigaveajoyfulshoutandpointedupthegoat-pathtowardthemountain。There，alongdistanceoff，theysawtheirmothercomingtowardthemwithBabyRoseliinherarms！Evenatthatdistancetheycouldseethatshelookedwearyandsad，forherheaddroopedandherstepwasslow。Alltheirownwearinessvanishedlikemagicatsightofher，andwithashoutthatwakedtheechoesonoldPilatustheyboundedupthepathtomeether。
Sheheardtheshout，andshadinghereyeswithherhand，lookedeagerlyinthedirectionofthesound，andinanotherminutemotherandchildrenwereclaspedineachother’sarms，whileBabyRoselicrowedwithdelightfromanestinthemidstofgrassandflowerswhereshehadbeensuddenlydeposited。
Foramomenttheygavethemselvesuptothejoyofreunion，thenSeppisaidproudly："Webroughtthegoatssafelyhome，Mother。
Theyareallintheshed。"
"Ithoughtyouhadbeenswallowedupbytheavalanche，"sobbedtheirmother，claspingthemagaintoherheart。"Allthemenofthevillagearenowupthemountainsidesearchingforyouandtryingtobreakafreshpathtothegoat-pastures。Theymustbetoldthatyouaresafe。"
Shesprangtoherfeet，andstartedbackupthepath。ThenshethoughtofSeppi’shorn。"Blow，"shecried，"blowFritz’stuneifyoucan。Theyallknowit，andsomeofthemarenearenoughtohear。"
Seppiputthehorntohislipsandblew。Atfirstitwasonlyadismalsquawk；then，thoughitsoundedmuchlikethecrowingofayoungroosterinimitationofanoldone，hedidmanagetoachievethefirstfewnotesofFritz’stune。Soonaheadappearedabovearockfarupthetrail，thenawholemanscrambledtothetopofitandgazedearnestlyatthelittlegroupinthepathbelow。
AgainSeppisoundedhishorn，hismotherflungoutherapronlikeaflagofvictory，andallofthem，includingRoseli，wavedtheirarmssojoyouslythattherewasnomistakingthemessage。Withanansweringshoutthemandroppedoutofsightagainbehindtherock，andafewmomentslatertheysawhimrunningdownthehillsidetowardthevillage。
Soonthechurch-bellwasclangingjoyfullyfromthebelfry，carryingthenewsofthewanderers’safereturntoeveryonewithinhearingdistance。Bellsfromtheadjoiningvillagejoinedtheclamor，andhornsansweringfromdistantcragstoldthegladnews。Thetoilersonthemountain-sideheardandrejoiced。
>Fromthecliffswheretheechoeslivedcameshoutaftershout，andsoonthewomenofthevillage，whohadbeenwatchingwiththedistractedmotherandhelpingintheworkofthemen，camehurryingdownthegoat-pathtowelcomethewanderersandrejoiceovertheirsafereturn。Theywerejoinedbyoneandanotherofthemenastheyreturnedfromthemountain-side，untilquiteagrouphadgatheredintheblossomingfieldtohearthechildrentellthestoryoftheirperilousadventures。TheywerestandingthuswhenthesundippedbehindthewesternhillsandtheAngelusoncemorecalledthecountrysidetoprayer。Withgratefulheartsandbowedheads，neighborsandfriendsgavethankstoGodforhismercies，thenscatteredtotheirownfiresides，leavingthehappymotherandchildrentogether。
Whentheyenteredthekitchenoftheoldfarm-houseoncemore，thetinywoodencuckoohoppedoutofhistinywoodendoorandshouted"cuckoo"seventimes，andwhentheyhadeatentheirsupper，andthechildrensatbesidethegreatstovetellingtheirmotheralloveragainabouttheoldherdsman，andtheeagle，andthefarmer’swife，andalltheothereventsoftheirthreedaysonthemountain，thecuckoowaitedfifteenwholeminutesbeyondthehourbeforehecouldmakeuphismindtoremindthemofbed=time。Thenhestuckhisheadoutoncemoreandcried"cuckoo"
quitehystericallyeighttimes。EventhentheylingeredtotalkaboutFatherandFritzfarawayinthehighalps，andofhowgladtheywerethattheyknewnothingofthedangersandanxietiestheyhadjustbeenthrough。
"Dearme！"saidthemother，risingatlast，"howfastthetimegoeswhenwearehappy！It’slongpastyourbedhour，andyoumustbeverytired。Wemuststoptalkingthisveryminute！"
Shesentthechildrenupstairs，tuckedtheminbed，heardtheirprayers，andkissedthemgood-night。Theirshecamebacktothekitchen，pattedBello，whywassoundasleeponthedoorstep，lookedatthemoonrisingoverthecrestofRigi，fastenedthedoor，pulleduptheweightstowindtheclock，and，takinghercandle，wentupstairstobedherself。
Whenatlastthesoundofherfootstepsceased，andthehousewasquietforthenight，thecuckoostuckouthisheadandlookedaboutthesilentkitchen。Themoonlightstreamedinattheeasternwindow，thelittlemousewascreepingfromherhole，andtheshadowswerewhisperingtogetherincorners。
"Onthewhole，"saidthecuckootohimself，"IthinkI’vemanagedthisthingverywell。Everyoneishappyagain，andnowIcantakealittlerestmyself。Thepastthreedayshavebeenverywearyingtoonewithmyresponsibilities。"
"Cuckoo，"hecalledninetimes，thenthetinywoodendoorclappedshut，andhetoowenttosleep。
返回顶部