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Show 404 THE LILY AND THE TOTEM. To linger in that 1pot was impossible; but whither l!hould they direct their steps "We are but three, now, my comrades," snid tho younger D'Erlach,-" wo mWit on no account separate. W c must sleep and hunt together, nnd -suffer no persuasions to part us. J.ct us descend from t1Jis inhospitable mountain, nod, crossing the stretch of valley which spreads below, attempt the heights opposite. We may there find more certain food, and better protcctipn from these bleak winds. H " Better that we bad perished with our comrades, under the knife of Melcnde.z," was the gloomy speech of tho elder D'Erlacb. "It is always soon enough to die," replied the younger. "For shame, my brother !-it is but death, at the worst, which awaits us. Let us on! '' And he led the way down the rugged heights, the others following passively nnd in moody silence. They crossed the valley, through which a river went foaming and flashing over huge rocks and 00ulders1 great fractured masses from the overhanging cliffs, that seemed the ruins of an ancient world. The stream wns shallow though 'vild; and crossing from rock to rock they made their wny over without much trouble or any accident. 'fho ~~scent of the steep heights beyond was not so easy. Throe days were consumed in making a circuit, and finding a. tolerable way for clambering up tho mountain. Cold and wetl.ry, hungry and sick at heart, the elder D'Erlach tmd Philip Ie Borne, ,vcro ready to lie down and yield the struggle. Despair had set its paralyzing grasp upon their hearts; but tho oonsiderate care, the cheerful cour3.go, the invigor3.ting suggestion, of tl1e younger D'Erlach, still sufficed to strengthen them for re .. ALPIION'S£ D1ERLACH. 405 ncwed effort, when they were about to yield to fate. He adopted the legend of the great city. These rocks were n. fitting portal to such a world of empire and treasure. He dwelt with emotion upon its supposed wonders, and found reasons of great significance for assuming it to be near at hand. And they toiled after him up the terrible heights, momcntly expecting to hear him cry aloud from the summi~ for which they toiled-" Eureka! Ticrc is the Grand Copal !" In this progress the younger D'Erlach was always the leader; Philip lc Borne struggled after him, though at a long distance, and, m•lre feeble tl1an either, the elder D'Erlaeh brought up the rear. Alphonse had nearly reached the bald height to which he wn.s climbing, when n fearful cry assailed him from behind. He looked about instantly, only in time to sec the form of le Borno disappear from the cliff, plunging headlong into the chasm a thousand feet below. The "ictim was too terrified to cry. Life was probably extinguished long before his limbs \verc crushed out of a!! humanity amongst the jagged masses of the fractured rocks which received them. The cry W:lS from the elder D'Erlach. He S3.w the dreadful spectacle at full; beheld his companion shoot suddenly down beside him, with outstretched arms, as if imploring the succor for which he had no "oice to cry. He saw, and, overcome with horror, sank down in a convulsion upon the narrow ledge which barely sufficed to sustain his person. Alphonse D'Erlach darted do'!n to his succor, and clung to him till he had revived. "Where is Philip?" demanded the elder brother. "We arc all that remain, my brot!Jer," was the reply. The other covered l1is eyes witl1 his hands, as if to shut out thought; and it was some time before he could be persuaded to re-attempt tht> ascent. Alphonse clung to his side as be did so |