So in broken accents I blessed him and wished him well through all the aeons, praying that I might be his companion to the end of time.

In few words and short he thanked me and gave me back my blessing.

Then he muttered--"Come." So side by side we began the terrible descent.

At first it was easy enough, although a slip would have hurled us to eternity.

But we were strong and skilful, accustomed to such places moreover, and made none.
About a quarter of the way down we paused, standing upon a great boulder that was embedded in the ice, and, turning round cautiously, leaned our backs against the glacier and looked about us.