the swiss twins-第9章
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Lucerne instead of about those silly old giants and dwarfs； this
would not have happened。〃
〃You were just as scared as I was；〃 said Leneli； 〃and you needn't
try to lay it all on me！ You jumped and ran just as soon as I
did； when that bird flew over our heads。〃
Seppi knew that this was true； so he said nobly： 〃Very well；
let's not quarrel about it。 What we need to do is to get the
goats back to the path。〃
He took some salt from his pocket； as his big brother had taught
him to do； and walked slowly toward them； holding out his hand。
Nanni stretched her neck forward and had taken just one lick of
the salt when suddenly the loud whirring noise came again； there
was a terrific scream overhead； and from the crags above them a
great golden eagle swooped down towards the frightened group on
the cliff； and； sticking his terrible talons into Nanni's back；
tried to lift her bodily into the air！ For an instant she swung
dizzily over the edge of the cliff as the eagle beat his wings
furiously in an effort to rise with his heavy burden。 But in that
instant Seppi leaped forward and； seizing the goat by the tail；
pulled back with all his might。 Leneli sprang to the rescue of
Seppi； grasping him firmly around the waist； and screaming like a
wildcat as she added her strength to his。
Meanwhile Bello barked furiously； and the rest of the goats fled
bleating into the woods in a mad stampede。 It was all over in
less time that it takes to tell it。 The goat； wounded and
bleeding； dropped to the ground； the great bird soared away into
the dizzy spaces beyond the cliff； and the children dashed into
the shelter of the woods； dragging Nanni after them。 They could
not sink down on the ground and recover from their fright as they
longed to do； for by this time the goats had scattered among the
trees and must be brought together again at once。 Bello was
distractedly trying to round them up； but as he had no idea of
the direction。 in which to drive them； they were all galloping
wildly about； first this way； then that。
It was some time before the children succeeded in getting the
flock together again； but at last they were able to drive them
farther into the woods； and away from the dangers of the cliffs；
and were soon fortunate enough to come upon a little mountain
stream which was singing its way through the forest。 Here the
goats stopped willingly to drink； and for the first time the
children were able to give some attention to Nanni。 Her back was
torn and bloody； but her injuries were not serious and on the
whole she seemed little the worse for her experience。
〃We must let all the goats rest a little；〃 said Seppi。 〃There
isn't any food for them； but they can have a good drink while we
eat our lunch； and then we just must find that path。〃
They sat down on a rock and Leneli opened the bundle of food
which the old herdsman had given them。 〃Isn't it queer？〃 said
she； as she handed Seppi a piece of cheese； 〃I'm not as scared as
I was before that dreadful eagle came。 Are you？〃
Seppi paused with his mouth open for a bite。 〃Why； I'm not；
either！〃 he said with surprise。
Leneli's eyes grew big。 〃Seppi；〃 said she earnestly； 〃do you
suppose； maybe； we're heroes like Peter of Lucerne； after all；
and never knew it？〃
Seppi thought about this so seriously that for a minute he forgot
to eat。 Then he said； 〃Why； of course we are！ We were scared but
we did the right thing！ My； but I'm glad！〃 He sighed with relief
and took a big bite and munched away in silence。
At last he said solemnly； 〃Of course； now that we know we really
are heroes； we won't be scared any more！ We'll stop before we
begin！〃
Leneli looked doubtful。 〃I'm afraid I shall be scared again if we
don't find the Pass；〃 she said。 〃We might die up here in the
mountains just like Moses in sight of the promised land。 And some
time maybe a hunter would find our bones lying scattered about on
the ground。〃 She sniffed a little at this pathetic picture； and
her eyes filled with tears。
〃Look here；〃 said Seppi； jumping to his feet and gazing down at
her sternly。 〃Is that any way for a hero to talk？ They aren't
going to find any bones of mine； I can tell you！ I'm going to get
down this mountain with all the goats； and so are you！〃
〃Well；〃 said the heroine； doubtfully； 〃I was only supposing。〃
〃Well； then； don't suppose that way；〃 growled Seppi。 〃Just
suppose we find the pass and get somewhere in time for supper；
and get home to…morrow！〃
At that very minute a bright thought struck him。 〃What a silly！〃
he said。 〃Why didn't I think of it before？ This stream runs down
hill； and if we follow it we shall have to get down to the
valley； too。 Come along！〃
He was in such a hurry to carry out his idea that he started at
once with his bread and cheese in his hand。
〃But maybe it won't be anywhere near the village where the
herdsman's home is； if we do get down；〃 objected Leneli； 〃we
ought to find the path。〃
〃We'll be more likely to find it by following the stream；〃 said
Seppi； giving a loud blast on his horn； 〃and if we don't find
that village； we'll find another place just as good。 I'll bet
there are some kind people everywhere。〃
Bello was at that moment barking down a hollow log in the hope of
catching a hare； but he obediently rounded up the goats when
Seppi called him； and the little caravan began to move。
It was not so simple as it sounded。 The stream had worn a deep
channel among the rocks。 Trees had fallen across it； undermined
by the swift current。 Here it roared through a narrow gorge and
there spread into a wide pool； then again plunged through
underbrush and among rocks in its haste to reach the lake far
below。 The goats made slow progress and； whenever it was possible
to do so； wandered away into easier paths and had to be driven
back。
At last； to their great relief； the children saw a break in the
trees； and they rushed joyfully forward； only to find that the
stream at this point leaped over a cliff in a waterfall fifty
feet high！ The young explorers gazed at this new difficulty
without a word。
Far below in the green valley they could see little white specks
which were farm buildings； and tiny villages nestling among trees
along the banks of a wide stream。 They could even see the glacier
which fed this river； lying like some huge white monster along
the valley； its broad nose thrust between the banks on either
side。
〃Every time we think we've found the way out； we just get deeper
in than ever；〃 moaned Leneli； at last。 〃We can't get down this
way； and if we did we'd have to cross the glacier。〃
〃It isn't a very big one；〃 said Seppi； looking down at it。
〃You can't tell from here；〃 quavered Leneli。
Seppi looked about him。 To the right the forest slopes stretched
upward toward the mountain…top。 In front was the plunge； and at
the left the stream gurgled over rocks and stones to its fall。
〃We'll just have to cross it；〃 said Seppi firmly。 He drove the
goats back a little way to a place where it was possible to ford
the stream； and in； a little while the whole caravan stood
dripping on the farther bank。
〃I'm going to follow along the edge of this cliff；〃 said Seppi；
〃and you and the goats follow after me。 I'm sure we shall find a
place where we can get down。 I'll keep calling； so you'll know
which way to go。
He plunged into the forest at the word and was lost to sight； and
Leneli； driving the goats before her； plunged after him。 Guided
by the sound of the waterfall； they forced their way through
underbrush； over great piles of rocks and around perilous curves；
seeking always the lower levels； until at last； when she was
almost ready to give up in despair； Leneli heard a joyful shout
from Seppi and； hastening forward； found him at the edge of the
forest； looking out over a wide range of foothills。 The forest
was now behind them； and before them lay green slopes spangled
like the stars in the milky way with yellow daffodils and blue
gentians。
The goats； wild with delight at seeing fresh pasturage； leaped
forward and began to browse； and dear old Bello sat down on his
haunches with his tongue hanging out and gazed upon the scene as
benevolentl
