Page:Lost with Lieutenant Pike (1919).djvu/150

 "Thray miles higher'n we be; mebbe four," guessed Pat Smith.

"He's a grand wan all right," sighed Tom Dougherty. "Even a bur-rd wud nade an ixtra pair o' wings to get atop him, I'm thinkin'."

"No mortal man, or nothing else on two legs could do it, I reckon," said John Brown. "Unless that be the cap'n himself."

"American can," Stub reminded, proudly.

"You're right, boy," soldier Terry Miller approved. "Under orders an American would come pretty close to filling the job."

The lieutenant and the doctor had been gazing at the peak; it fascinated them, like it fascinated the men, and Stub. That night they talked together until late, planning for to-morrow. The lieutenant had decided to climb the mountain.

He sent for Sergeant Meek. The sergeant stood before him and saluted.

"I intend to take Doctor Robinson and two of the men, and this boy, to-morrow, and set out for the big mountain," the lieutenant said. "The camp will be left in your charge."

"Yes, sir," replied Sergeant Meek.

"These reports of the journey to date I also leave, with my personal baggage. The mountain is only a short day's march, but I have to consider that