Page:Boy scouts in the White Mountains; the story of a long hike (IA boyscoutsinwhite00eato).pdf/210

 is plain after you reach the actual cone. And, anyhow, we've got time enough to circle the cone till we reach the railroad trestle, if worst comes to worst. I guess you'd be better off at the top. Shoulder packs, boys!"

He looked at his watch. It was half-past three. "Now, less than two miles! Keep moving briskly. There's nothing to fear now. This storm is over, I'm sure. A fire waits on top!"

They started out at a good pace over the plateau of Bigelow Lawn, Lou looking eagerly at the numerous wild flowers in the rock crannies. The snow was already melting, but it only made the trail the more slippery, and this, coupled with the high wind, made walking difficult. The girl and her companion had no poles, so Rob and Art lent them theirs, and Rob walked beside the girl to help her over bad places.

A third of a mile above the refuge they came upon the Boott Spur Trail, leading off to the right, down the long ridge of the spur, southward.

"Tuckerman's Ravine is in there, to the east of Boott Spur," said the Scout Master. "It seems to be filled with clouds now."

The clouds, however, were off the spur, and though now, as the summit path swung rather sharply toward the north and began to go up steeply, they were entering into the vapor about the