Page:Boy scouts in the White Mountains; the story of a long hike (IA boyscoutsinwhite00eato).pdf/192

 "They haven't any packs or blankets," said Art.

"Nor anything at all, but sweaters tied around their waists, as far as I can see," Lou added.

"Probably going up for the day only, and expecting to get down again before night," said the Scout Master. "They'll have to hurry. They seem to be hurrying. They'll catch us all right, at the rate they are coming now, before we get beyond Monroe."

A few moments later, the Scouts were on top of Franklin, 5,029 feet, the first time they had been above the five thousand foot level except on the summit of Lafayette. Directly ahead, a little over a mile away, was the summit of Monroe, two jagged twin shoulders of rock, with the south wall plunging down almost precipitously into the great pit of Oakes Gulf. Beyond Monroe, rising a thousand feet higher into the air, at last the great summit cone of Washington was fully revealed, and even as they gazed upon it, a thin streamer of grayish white cloud blew against it out of nothingness, and then shredded out to the southward.

"I don't like that," said Rob.

"Hm," said Mr. Rogers, "if it's no worse than that we needn't worry. It's those two behind I'm thinking about."

The Scouts moved on, across the col between Franklin and Monroe, with the north wind blowing