Hofer had brought Johann with him partly out of fondness, and to amuse Anna, partly lest he should be seized as hostage; and partly because he knew the little fellow to be without reticence, and as likely to betray him from heedlessness as an enemy might be from mischief.

CHAPTER XIX.

WINTER ON THE MOUNTAINS.

N the 22d of January, about two hours before. dark, Theresa and Rudolf's mother were busily packing a basket with as much as it would hold.

"When they started, there were four of them," observed Theresa, "and they carried four times as much as can be carried by one; therefore their provisions would last four times as long as they will now, so we must send them the oftener. Meanwhile, they shall have as much as Rudolf can carry. Here's room for a bit of soap: and here's a corner into which I can squeeze a cake for Johann. The brandy-the oil-the bacon-the loaves-the dried. chamois, do you think you can carry anything more, Rudolf?"

Rudolf lifted the burthen, and pronounced it "no weight at all." "However," added he, "there's some difference in a burthen on a level floor like this, and dragging one down the side of a mountain too steep to scale, except in crampons; so I think it will do."

Just this one cheese more, Rudolf."

Very well. I think that will do."

Is it not rather too early to start yet?"

It would be safer, in some respects, to wait longer; but, considering the distance, and other things, I might fail of reaching the châlet if I put it off later."

. Yes, yes.

Oh, Rudolf! believe me, I know full well the great dangers you are encountering for my poor parents-"

Don't name it, Theresa. Even if you were no ways related to them, think you I would not do it for the sake of Hofer ?"

Surely, surely!" cried his mother. "My boy speaks well; but yet, Theresa, I think it were better to go twice, than go overburthened and meet some evil by the way."

"Rudolf," said Theresa, "you will laugh at what I have prepared for you; but see! here is a loose white garment, with a hood, to cover you quite up, which, if you put on when you reach the mountains, will enable you to cross the snow undiscerned."

"Excellent!" said Rudolf, arraying himself in it, to make sure how it looked. "I shall certainly find it useful."

Theresa rolled it up into as small a compass as possible.

"And here are a few lumps of sugar, Rudolf:

put one in your mouth when you reach the glaciers-"

"You make too much of me," said he, tenderly. "And now," said his mother, "let us kneel down and pray."

With an atmosphere of sanctity about him, and a heart full of good purposes, the young man cheerily started on his perilous mission. It was yet light; but as long as he kept among villages and cottages, there was nothing in a man's trudging along, openly carrying a basket. Once or twice, when he fancied a suspicious eye rested upon it, he cried gaily, "I hope you expect as good a dinner to-morrow as I do!" and began whistling.

At length, after a walk of about six miles, he found himself rising above the haunts of men, though not beyond their observation. He now enveloped himself in the white garment, which covered his burthen as well as himself, put a lump of sugar in his mouth, and pursued his way over the frozen snow; looking like a snow-wreath himself. Suddenly he perceived footprints in various directions.

"Some one has been here lately," thought he this outer crust has not long been crushed. Yet who, without a purpose, would be here but the wolf or bear?"

Turning the angle of a rock, he ran against a man,

R

who uttered a shriek, and sprang backwards, throwing out his hands, and exclaiming

"Avaunt, spirit of the mountain!'

Rudolf, instantly perceiving that his extraordinary costume had made him mistaken for something supernatural, would have seized his advantage by rushing past with a flourish of his arms, and a wild, terrific cry; but unfortunately his white drapery fell off.

"Why, it's Rudolf!" exclaimed Franz, relieved.

Franz!" cried Rudolf, in alarm and displeasure. What are you about here?”

What are you about, you mean?" retorted Franz. "One question's as good as another. To whom are you carrying that basket?"

That's no matter of yours!

"I know. You can have but one object, and that's to go to the Sandwirth."

Look ye, Franz," said Rudolf, boiling over with rage, and setting down his burthen: "this won't do to go any further. Who are you, to interfere with my objects, whatsoever they may be? We'll have it out on this spot. I've got on my wrestling-ring; exhibiting a very thick silver ring on the little finger of his right hand; "and, if you choose to persist in this matter, we'll try a fall together, and I'll pitch you afterwards into the bottomless lake."

As Rudolf suited the action to the word, by