THE GAP AMONG THE MOUNTaINS. I51

valley behind them, at the top of each succeeding
ascent to which they attained. It was only occa-
sionally that they had such views, for generally
they were entirely shut in by hills, forests, and
precipices. Before them they saw nothing but
vast piles of mountains, rising higher and higher,
and covered with trees nearly to the summits.
Lucy did not see how they could possibly get
through them or over them. In fact the Gap,
through which they were to pass, was not to be
seen by the traveller until he had entered it.

Once, as they were coming down a little hill,
where the road took a sudden turn, they heard
the voice of a man echoing among the forests
before them.

“ What’s that?” said Lucy. In fact, Lucy
was a little afraid; and it must be confessed
that the aspect of the whole scene was rather
wild and gloomy.

“ That’s somebody driving a team,” said
Robert.

“ How shall we get by ?” said Lucy’s mother.
‘It seems to me the road is very narrow.”

“QO, we can find a place to get by,” said Robert.

Just then, the turn of the road, as they came
down the hill, brought a bridge into view,—a
small bridge, but very high, leading across a brook.
They had passed several similar bridges before,
only this was higher than the others, and looked
more uneven. ‘There were large logs laid along
the edge, on each side of it, for a balustrade.