238 SAGE ADVICE.

placing it in his hand, answered, ‘ Tread without
apprehension ; 1t will support you as firmly as the
rock itself; be steady—go on.’ I did so, and re-
gained the ledge once more in safety. The possible
repetition of such an exploit was not by any means
to my taste, and I ventured to question the fore-
most guide as to the chance of its recurrence, and
the difficulties yet in store. Without pretending
to disguise them, he proceeded to dilate upon that
portion of our peregrination still in reserve, when
the other interrupted him impatiently, and in
French, instead of patos (forgetting in his anxiety
to enjoin silence, that I understood every word he
uttered), exclaimed, ‘Not a word more, I entreat
you; speak not to him of danger; this is not the
place to excite alarm; it is our business to cheer
and animate ;’ and, in the true spirit of his advice,
he immediately pointed to a bunch of little gentians,
exclaiming, ‘Eh, donc, qu’elles sont jolies! regardez
ces charmants fleurs!’ Long before I had half
accomplished the distance, and had formed a cor-
rect opinion as to what remained in hand, the pro-
priety of turning back had more than once suggested
itself; but, on looking round, the narrowness of
the shelf already passed presented so revoltin 9° an
appearance, that what with the risk to be incurred
in the very act of turning about and forming any-
thing like a ptrouette in my present position, added