A few pines were sprinkled about the slopes of the gully, and one or two of them which had fallen lay athwart the creek.
They stopped for a few minutes upon a dizzy ledge of rock, from which they looked far down across battalions of somber trees upon the gleaming lake below.

Here Weston was guilty of an indiscretion.

He admitted afterward that he ought to have known that a man used to command in India, who claimed some acquaintance with Alpine climbing, was not likely to be advised by him.
"I believe we could get down, sir, and there are several logs across the creek," he said.

"We must get over it somehow, and the gully will probably run into a canon lower down." "That," remarked Kinnaird, dryly, "is perfectly evident.

It is, however, my intention to follow up the gully." Weston was conscious that Ida Stirling was glancing at him, but his face remained expressionless; and as he suggested nothing further, they went on again.