There's nothing to be feared from wild animals, or he would have warned us." "It strikes me that the most important thing to do is to keep our bearings, for if we should happen to lose our way it would go hard with us." "We took care to bring spy-glasses, as well as everything else that we thought we were likely to need, but forgot about a compass, which may be worth all the rest." "Well, we must be careful not to stray too far until we become familiar with the country.

Let's not delay our start." The plateau where their ponies were cropping the grass was several acres in extent, nearly half of it sloping abruptly; but the grass was abundant enough to furnish the animals with all they could need, no matter how long they stayed, since it had plenty of opportunity to renew itself.
Side by side the boys moved across the space, the ponies not raising their heads to look at them, as they passed near.

Instead of following the course taken by their guide they bore to the right, but at the same time proceeded nearly westward, which led them deeper into the mountains.

Remembering the caution of their friend they studied the landmarks around them, in the hope of not losing their way when it should become time to return to camp.
When fairly clear of the plateau, where they must have been at a considerable elevation above the sea, they found the way so rough that travelling became a task.

There was nothing in the nature of a path or trail to follow, and they were compelled to pass around boulders and rocks, sometimes turning back and retracing their steps, and making long detours, so as to flank impassable chasms.