There
was a solitary individual mounted on a mule, and a single pedestrian,
without any guide, or other traveller, in their company. Their movements
were swift, and they had not been more than a minute in view, before they
disappeared behind an angle of the crags which nearly closed the valley on
the side of the convent, and which was the precise spot already mentioned
as being so dangerous in the season of the melting snows.
"Dost thou know the quality and object of the travellers before us?"
demanded the Baron de Willading of Pierre.
The latter mused. It was evident he did not expect to meet with strangers
in that particular part of the passage.
"We can know little of those who come from the convent, though few would
be apt to leave so safe a roof at this late hour," he answered; "but,
until I saw yonder travellers with my own eyes, I could have sworn there
were none on this side of the Col going the same way as ourselves? It is
time that all the others were already arrived."
"They are villagers of St. Pierre, going up with supplies;" observed one
of the muleteers.
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