Chapter 26 - Page 2

Ishould find my way again.

"Come," I repeated, "since there is but one road, and they are on it,I must find them again. I have but to ascend still. Unless, indeed,missing me, and supposing me to be behind, they too should have goneback. But even in this case I have only to make the greater haste. Ishall find them, I am sure."

I repeated these words in the fainter tones of a half-convinced man.Besides, to associate even such simple ideas with words, and reasonwith them, was a work of time.

A doubt then seized upon me. Was I indeed in advance when we becameseparated? Yes, to be sure I was. Hans was after me, preceding myuncle. He had even stopped for a while to strap his baggage betterover his shoulders. I could remember this little incident. It was atthat very moment that I must have gone on.

Besides, I thought, have not I a guarantee that I shall not lose myway, a clue in the labyrinth, that cannot be broken, my faithfulstream? I have but to trace it back, and I must come upon them.

This conclusion revived my spirits, and I resolved to resume my marchwithout loss of time.

How I then blessed my uncle's foresight in preventing the hunter fromstopping up the hole in the granite. This beneficent spring, afterhaving satisfied our thirst on the road, would now be my guide amongthe windings of the terrestrial crust.

Before starting afresh I thought a wash would do me good. I stoopedto bathe my face in the Hansbach.

To my stupefaction and utter dismay my feet trod only - the rough drygranite. The stream was no longer at my feet.