Page:Boy scouts in the White Mountains; the story of a long hike (IA boyscoutsinwhite00eato).pdf/257

 that he threw his shoulder under, Peanut would have fallen off.

"Here's where we stop!" said the Scout Master.

Peanut was rather white with the sudden shock of slipping. Still, he looked longingly up the gully, toward the two climbers above, and said, "Aw, no, let's go on a little further!"

"Not a step—remember your promise," Mr. Rogers declared.

The boys turned reluctantly, and started down. They found it far harder than going up. Going up, you didn't see that almost sheer drop below you. But going the other way, you had to see it at every step, and it made you constantly realize how easy it would be to fall.

Lou grew very pale, and paused on a wide bit of shelf. "I'm dizzy," he said. "Let me stand here a minute. I can't help it. Makes me dizzy to look down."

Frank was directly in front of him below.

"You keep braced after every step, Frank," said the Scout Master, "and let Lou take his next step to you each time before you take another. Better now, Lou? You'll be all right. Just keep your eye on your feet, and don't look off."

They started down once more, and after at least fifteen minutes reached the Fan in safety and then