dozen feet was very steep, and, what was remarkable, loose stones lay upon its surface as though they had slid down from above.  This slide seemed to have been occasioned by a softness of the rock in that part, causing it to scale off in thin pieces, which the slightest disturbance would send rattling down the mountain.  Just beyond these loose stones was a smooth surface of very steep rock, over which it would be necessary to pass in order to reach the path beyond.

I paused here; and after Pippity had brought the fruit and I had finished my dinner, I began seriously to discuss the question whether or not I ought to attempt the passage of this dangerous interval.  Pippity seemed to understand my intentions quite well, for he grew very uneasy, and in his queer ways, with snatches of singularly applicable speech, he remonstrated most strenuously.  But we now were not very far from the top, and so fascinating seemed the prospect of reaching the very pinnacle, that I could not withstand the impulse of making the effort to get there.  Over the loose stones I scrambled, clinging with hands and feet as best I could, whilst an avalanche of rocky fragments slid, tumbled, and rattled ominously down the declivity.

I got my hands upon the smooth rock, but at my feet the loose stones were slipping rapidly away; this, in a moment more, would leave me without support and mercilessly let me follow them.  But Pippity, who had been flying around me in the greatest excitement, got just above me, and planting his toes firmly against the rock, seized me by the shoulder.  Then, holding on with a most determined grip of his bill, he pulled like a Trojan; and I do verily believe the bird saved my life.  By dint of his pulling and backing upward, seconded by my own frantic efforts to shuffle up the rock, I succeeded in gaining the foothold beyond.  At least he inspired me with fresh resolution and confidence in helping myself.

After a little rest, we went on, winding around a succession of short spirals, and at last reached the highest point of this magnificent mountain!

* * * * *

What a sensation!

Perched here on the extreme point of a pinnacle more than four thousand feet above the vast plain of rich fertility embosomed among the snow-clad mountains.  The lake was a spot of beautiful blue, a gem in the center of this lovely picture.

Suddenly, we heard a rattling of stones beneath, then a shriek.

“Stars!  What’s that?—­GRILLY!”

And up he came bounding, as lively as a cricket.  He danced around us in the greatest delight, threw his arms around me, ran wildly here and there, and danced and danced again.

“Grilly, Grilly!” shrieked the parrot, “how in the world did you get up here?”—­and his staid demeanor contrasted strangely with the monkey’s antics.

But Grilly danced and danced.  The fact was that, even if he could have spoken, he was too much excited to make reply.  Grilly was great in action; in words deficient.