"Yes, I shall rest here for a month or so with my good sister and Rudolf. Then I must be away among my mountains again. I am never so happy as when I am climbing some difficult slope." "It is growing late, friends," said one of the visitors. "We must bid you good night, for to-morrow brings its work to each of us." "Good night, good night, then. But let us first have a song in memory of old days," said Fritz. All joined with a good-will. Half an hour afterward the lights were out in the little house and every one was settled for a good night's rest. CHAPTER VII. GLACIER AND AVALANCHE IT was cold weather now. Some snow had already fallen, and Carl had helped his father and mother in getting ready for the long, cold winter. Uncle Fritz had been gone for quite a while, and the family had settled down to their old quiet life. One evening Carl was sitting by the big stove and telling his mother about the day's work at school, when the door opened, and who should stand there but Fritz. Carl rushed into his arms, exclaiming: "I knew you would come back, because you promised, Uncle Fritz." "Yes, but I shall stay only a day or two. Then I must be off again. There is a little village up in the mountains about twenty miles away. I must go there before the weather grows any colder, for if a big snow-storm should come up it would make hard walking." "Will you go all the way on foot, uncle?" asked Carl. "I do believe you never ride in a train if you can help it." Fritz laughed. "I must say I enjoy the walking best. But, anyhow, this time my way lies across country. How would you like to go too? I have to cross a glacier before I get there. Did you ever see a glacier, my boy?" "No, Uncle Fritz, and I have always longed to do so. O, mother, may I go? I will study hard at school, and make up all the lessons I lose while I am away." "How long will you be gone, Fritz?" asked his sister. "Not over three days, if the weather is good; and after that I shall not stay in this part of the country. I am going to Geneva, so it will be Carl's last chance for a long time to go with me." [Illustration: "IT WAS A RIVER OF SOLID ICE!"] In this way it came to pass that Carl went with his uncle. "Do take good care of him, Fritz," the loving mother called, as the man and boy left the little cottage the next morning. "You know he is my only child." "Never fear, sister. I will watch well, and try to keep danger away," Fritz promised. Soon after the two travellers had left the village, the way became quite rough. Fritz told many stories of his wild life as a guide, and Carl was so interested he had no time to think about himself. After three hours of hard walking, the two travellers stopped to rest and eat the lunch of bread and cheese Carl's mother had given them. A long tramp was still before them, and the way grew rougher at every step. The sun was just setting when the little mountain village at last came in sight.