Although from a distance the mountain had appeared of smooth outlines,
now, that they gazed upward from its base, it presented quite a
different aspect. Loose boulders of rock, strewed thickly upon the
slope, covered its sides up to the very summit, giving it the appearance
of a gigantic "cairn," such as may be seen upon the tops of some of our
own mountains. These, however, are the work of men, while that upon
which our yagers gazed looked as though giants had erected it.
Among the loose stones there was yet a trace of vegetable life. Plants
of the cactus kind, and rare euphorbias, grow in the spaces between the
rocks; and here and there stood a small tree, with spreading top and
myrtle-like foliage, casting its shadow over the side of the mountain.
The arborescent aloe was also seen, its coral-red spike appearing above
the sharp edge of some huge boulder, and strongly contrasting with the
dull grey of the rock.
After contemplating the singular eminence for some minutes, it was
proposed that they should all ascend to its summit. It appeared but a
very short way. The path was not very steep. A ten minutes' climb
would suffice. What a splendid view they should have from its top! It
commanded a prospect of the country they were about to traverse for the
next three days' journey at least. They might lay out their course from
it, and by noting landmarks, avoid the detours of mountain-spurs and
other obstacles. Should they ascend it?
Yes. All of them desired to do so--some to enjoy the view; some for the
fun of climbing; and Klaas and Jan because they had seen a large bird
wheeling around the summit, which might be the king of birds--an eagle;
and they wished to make a nearer acquaintance with his majesty.
Hans also had an interest in going up. He wanted to examine the
vegetation of the mountain--that appeared to differ essentially from
that of the surrounding plain--and particularly the myrtle-leaved tree
already mentioned.
So the voice for making the ascent was unanimous--_nemine dissentiente_.
Without further ado, they all dismounted--for it would have been
impossible to have ridden up such a rock-strewed path--and secured their
horses by tying their bridles together. This was their usual way when
there was no tree to which they could make them fast. The mode answered
well enough. The animals were well acquainted, and on friendly terms,
so that they did not bite or kick one another; and with their noses all
turned inward, no one of them could stray off without the consent of the
other five, and this unanimity could never be obtained. Even had five
of them agreed to wander a bit, there was one that would have opposed
such a conspiracy, and _pulled against it_ with all his might--one that
would have remained loyal to his master; and that was Hans's steady,
sober-sided cob, that had been trained to wait wherever his rider left
him. Upon many a botanical excursion had he carried his master, and
often had stood with no other fastening than the bridle thrown over his
withers, while the botanist climbed the rocky steep, or dived into the
thick bush, to pluck some rare plant or flower.
Leaving their horses, the party commenced the ascent. Now their path
lay between large masses of granite, and now passed over the tops of the
rocks. It required them to use all their strength and agility; and
although from below they fancied they would reach the summit in about
five minutes time, they were sadly disappointed.
There are few things more deceptive than the ascent of a mountain. It
is usually more difficult than it appears, and a large allowance should
be made in the calculation, both for time and labour. The philosopher
Hans knew this very well, and told the others that it would take them a
full half-hour to get to the top. Some of them were inclined to
ridicule his assertion; but they remembered their late humiliating
defeat, and remained silent--although they _thought_ five minutes would
bring them to the very summit.
At the end of five minutes they began to change their opinion; and when
three times five had passed over, they found they were still but
half-way up the slope!