At length the surgeon reached the centre and caught the mocking
creature in his arms: neither spoke, but I could see the flash of
their eyes as they stood for an instant motionless. Then they
struggled on the narrow foothold and swayed over so far that I buried
my face in my trembling hands, unable to look at the dreadful end.
When I opened my eyes again all was still; the Arch was tenantless,
and no sound came from below. Were they, then, so soon dead? Without
a cry? I forced myself to the brink to look down, over the precipice;
but while I stood there, fearing to look, I heard a sound behind me in
the woods. It was Jeannette singing a gay French song. I called to her
to stop. 'How could you!' I said severely, for I was still trembling
with agitation.
'Ce n'est rien, madame. I cross l'Arche when I had five year.
Mais, Monsieur Rodenai le Grand, he raise his eye to look
this time, I think,' said Jeannette, laughing triumphantly.
'Where is he?'
'On the far side, gone on to Scott's Pic [Peak]. Feroce, O feroce,
comme un loupgarou! Ah! c'est joli, ca!' And over-flowing with the
wildest glee the girl danced along through the woods in front of me,
now pausing to look at something in her hand, now laughing, now
shouting like a wild creature, until I lost sight of her.
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