Not far above us is a grove of splendid nut trees, and along the edge of it runs a ravine.

I mean to lead the way up the ravine, Mr.Mason.

It will give us shelter from the scouts and spies of the enemy." "Shelter is what we want.

I've no taste for being shot obscurely here on the side of the mountain." "Then keep close behind me, all of you," said Shepard.

"We're above the steepest part now, and I know a little path that leads to the ravine.
Don't stumble if you can help it." The path was nothing more than a trace, but it sufficed to give them a surer footing, and in eight or ten minutes they reached the ravine which ran in a diagonal line across the face of the mountain, gradually ascending to the summit.