Using his staff skilfully, sounding as he went, and looking
upward, with bent shoulders, as it were to resist the mere idea of a fall
from above, Obenreizer softly led. Vendale closely followed. They were
yet in the midst of their dangerous way, when there came a mighty rush,
followed by a sound as of thunder. Obenreizer clapped his hand on
Vendale's mouth and pointed to the track behind them. Its aspect had
been wholly changed in a moment. An avalanche had swept over it, and
plunged into the torrent at the bottom of the gulf below.
Their appearance at the solitary Inn not far beyond this terrible Bridge,
elicited many expressions of astonishment from the people shut up in the
house. "We stay but to rest," said Obenreizer, shaking the snow from his
dress at the fire. "This gentleman has very pressing occasion to get
across; tell them, Vendale."
"Assuredly, I have very pressing occasion. I must cross."
"You hear, all of you. My friend has very pressing occasion to get
across, and we want no advice and no help. I am as good a guide, my
fellow-countrymen, as any of you. Now, give us to eat and drink."
In exactly the same way, and in nearly the same words, when it was coming
on dark and they had struggled through the greatly increased difficulties
of the road, and had at last reached their destination for the night,
Obenreizer said to the astonished people of the Hospice, gathering about
them at the fire, while they were yet in the act of getting their wet
shoes off, and shaking the snow from their clothes:
"It is well to understand one another, friends all.
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