In a few minutes the guide came around the corner of the house, from the inn yard, leading the horse. He stopped to water the horse at a fountain in the street, and then led him to the door. In the mean time the porter of the inn had brought down the trunk, and then the guide proceeded to fasten it upon the saddle of the horse, by means of two strong straps. The saddle was what is called a pack saddle, and was made expressly to receive such burdens. After having placed the trunk and secured it firmly, the guide put on the umbrella, and Mr. George's and Rollo's greatcoats, and also Rollo's knapsack. These things made quite a pile on the horse's back. The burden was increased, too, by several things belonging to the guide himself, which he put on over all the rest, such as a great-coat and a little bag of provisions. At length, when all was ready, Rollo bade the innkeeper good by, and set out on his journey. The guide went first, driving the horse before him, and Rollo followed, with his alpenstock in his hand. They soon passed out of the village, and then travelled along a very pleasant road, which skirted the foot of the mountain range,--all the time gradually ascending. Rollo looked out well before him, whenever he came to a straight part of the road, in hopes of seeing his uncle; but Mr. George was nowhere in view. Presently he came to a place where there was a gate, and a branch path, turning off from the main road, directly towards the mountain. Here Rollo, quite to his relief and gratification, found his uncle. Mr. George was sitting on a stone by the side of the road, reading. He shut his book when he saw Rollo and the guide, and put it away in his knapsack. At the same time he rose from his seat, saying,-- "Well, Rollo, which is the way?" "I don't know," said Rollo. The guide, however, settled the question by taking hold of the horse's bridle, and leading him off into the side path. The two travellers followed him. The path led through a very romantic and beautiful scene of fields, gardens, and groves, among the trees of which were here and there seen glimpses of magnificent precipices and mountains rising very near, a little beyond them. After following this path a few steps, two girls came running out from a cottage. One of them had a board under her arm. The other had nothing. They both glanced at the travellers, as they passed, and then ran forward along the road before them. "What do you suppose those girls are going to do?" asked Rollo. "I can't conceive," replied Mr. George. "Some thing for us to pay for, I'll engage." "And shall you pay them?" asked Rollo. "No," said Mr. George. "_I_ shall not pay them. I shall leave all such business to my courier."