Pressing on up the steep side, scaling cliffs and rocks, which at times almost defied their skill and strength, the air grew cooler.
The vegetation was less rank.

The grass grew short and in places there was none at all.
"Are you tired ?" John asked.
"Not much." "Let us sit and rest." "The sun has almost reached the meridian, and we are not half-way up the mountain." "Yet you must have a few moments' rest, Blanche." They rested but a moment and again pressed on.

They had now reached a great altitude, and the valley below looked like a fairy-land.

They found up here a species of mountain goats which they had not seen before.

They were very shy of the intruders and went bounding away from cliff to cliff and rock to rock at a speed which defied pursuit.
John shot one.