Simond went over and round them and under them, steadily, and the rescue party followed.

Now he disappeared over the edge of a cliff into space, and in a few seconds his voice rang upward cheerily.
"Follow! It is safe." And his ice-ax rang with no less cheeriness.

He led them boldly to the brink of abysses which were merely channels in the ice, and amid towering pinnacles which seen, close at hand, were mere blocks shoulder high.

And at last the guide at the tail of the rope heard from far away ahead Simond's voice raised in a triumphant shout.
"The rocks! The rocks!" With one accord they flung themselves, tired and panting, on the sheltered level of the bivouac.

Some sticks were found, a fire was lighted, tea was once more made.