all the real thing and offering all the climbing you will care to do,
unless you want to follow the trails that all the visitors take."

"No, we do not. We prefer to blaze our own trails, or, rather, to have
you do so, and the rougher they prove the better, as long as it is
safe. My girls are equal to any sort of rough-and-tumble climbing.
How do we get to the mountains?"

"I've engaged a carry-all to take us out to the foothills. From there
you can walk or ride. If we take the rough trails, of course we'll
have to climb."

"I shall ask you to lay out your route, then arrange to have some of
our baggage shipped on to meet us, say a week from now. Our necessary
equipment we can carry. The girls are used to shouldering heavy packs.
You will provide climbing equipment. I understand from Miss McCarthy
that you are a climber."

"I'm everything and anything in the White Mountain Range," answered the
guide boldly.

"Then, what do you say if we make Mount Chocorua first?"

"Perhaps you had better decide for us."

"This mountain is three thousand five hundred feet high. The way we
shall take you will, I think, find rugged enough to please the young
ladies," added Janus, with a grin behind his whiskers. "What time will
you be ready to start?"