A rude stone rampart guards its mouth, and, as only a very narrow path along the brink of the precipice leads to this cavern, it could be easily held against an assault.
On the summit of Hidas Peak was planted a bundle of straw, which was visible from a considerable distance, and served as a warning not to ascend.

Was it meant as a protection to the single fir-tree left standing there in lonely majesty, or to deter hay-thieves from cutting the grass that grew there?
Perhaps it was a friendly caution to sightseers not to hazard the ascent, as it might cost them their lives.
The two young women recognised at once the inadvisability of their attempting this dangerous climb, but to Aaron the ascent was mere sport.
He had often been up there before.

Promising his companions that, if they would be on their good behaviour, and not stir from the spot, he would climb the rocky height, blow a blast on his horn that should awake the echoes, and bring them back a twig from the solitary fir-tree, he left them seated on the grass and busy arranging the flowers they had gathered.
It seemed a long time before he gained the summit, and the young women grew tired of sitting still in one place.

Anna, true miner's daughter that she was, spied some scattered bits of carnelian in the rubble near by, and pointed them out to Blanka.

Agate and chalcedony were also to be found among the loose stones, and often the three occurred together.
Both Anna and her companion were soon busy gathering these treasures and pocketing the rarest specimens.