They had exaggerated; after all, it was not so high, nor was the road so steep! A few days, a few weeks, a few months at most, and then the top! Not one feather only would he pick up; he would gather all that other men had found--weave the net--capture Truth--hold her fast--touch her with his hands--clasp her! "He laughed in the merry sunshine, and sang loud.

Victory was very near.
Nevertheless, after a while the path grew steeper.

He needed all his breath for climbing, and the singing died away.

On the right and left rose huge rocks, devoid of lichen or moss, and in the lava-like earth chasms yawned.

Here and there he saw a sheen of white bones.