THE ADVENTURES OF PRINCE HEMPSEED. 55

another, and avoid them. Yes—but. which other? Is
there indeed any other at all? Oh! I know what we will
do!” he at length said to himself; “ we will keep at a dis-
tance of about two or three hundred paces from the Mount
Cenis road; and I shall be careful not to lose sight of the
mountain itself. By these means we may escape from the
snares of these three assassins.”

Olympia saw that her brother was unhappy and thought-
ful, but did not like to ask the reason.

Night came; and they drew nearer and nearer towards
the Mount Cenis road.

The icy air of the mountains compelled them to put on
their little brown cloaks.

Presently everything became confused and dusky before
them: the sun had set; and nature was covered with an
ocean of mist.

At a hundred paces from the point where the road
began, the little prince, without saying a word to his sister,

‘struck off to the right, and continued his way between two
mountains, that formed a long and narrow valley.

For some hours the little prince kept the road in sight
on his left hand; but at last he lost it, and could now .
guide himself only by guess-work.

By midnight the poor children had entirely lost them-
selves. On the right and on the left,—before and behind,

-—hbeneath their feet, and above their heads, spread the
frightful masses of granite. To increase the difficulty and
distress of their situation, the low and thick clouds began to
send forth a storm of snow, each flake of which, as it touched
the flesh, sent a chill shudder through the whole body.

- You must not forget that the two children had been
brought up amidst all the luxuries of life, surrounded by
attentions and kindnesses, and with many servants to obey
their slightest wishes.

The bleak wind whistled: it was a gale sharpened by

‘ the icy contact of the mountains, and it cut like a leathern