I was quite tremulous with apprehension lest he should refuse my
request, but he did not. He looked earnestly and even fixedly at
me for a minute, then silently held out his hand and grasped mine
with energy. It was a sealed compact. After that we considered
ourselves comrades, and continued our journey together.

Our day's rest at Bale being over, and the business which concerned
me there transacted, we followed the route indicated by Mr. St.
Aubyn, and on the evening of the 22nd of December arrived at a little
hill station, where we found a guide who promised to conduct us the
next morning to the village we sought. Sunrise found us on our way,
and a tramp of several weary hours, with occasional breaks for rest
and refreshment, brought us at last to the desired spot.

It was a quaint, picturesque little hamlet, embosomed in a mountain
recess, a sheltered oasis in the midst of a wind-swept, snow-covered
region. The usual Swiss trade of wood-carving appeared to be the
principal occupation of the community. The single narrow street
was thronged with goats, whose jingling many-toned bells made an
incessant and agreeable symphony. Under the projecting roofs of
the log-built chalets bundles of dried herbs swung in the frosty air;
stacks of fir-wood, handy for use, were piled about the doorways,
and here and there we noticed a huge dog of the St Bernard breed,
with solemn face, and massive paws that left tracks like a lion's
in the fresh-fallen snow. A rosy afternoon-radiance glorified the
surrounding mountains and warmed the aspect of the little village
as we entered it. It was not more than three o'clock, yet already
the sun drew near the hilltops, and in a short space he would sink
behind them and leave the valleys immersed in twilight. Inn or
hostelry proper there was none in this out of the world recess,