THE STORY OF END OF THE ROPE

 

THE END OF THE ROPE    

It is easy to make fun of others . But suppose we were in their place, Would we continue to feel superior or would it be for others to laugh at us?

The men linked by a strong rope climbed the sheer flank of the giant cliff. Eight hundred feet of space gaped beneath them and the cold mountain air steamed on their perspiring faces.

Nicolas, the guide from the hotel, was in the lead. He was a young man. not very tall, but his tnickest, muscular body was admirably adapted to his trade. He progressed with unhurried, calm, rhythmical gestures, heaving himself higher and higher.

When tney halted to breathe and rest. his shoulders rested lightly against the cliffs, and his light blue eyes swept down into the abyss without dread, seeking the dots that were villages in the Savoyard Valley and the glint of blue that was the lake.

Are we getting there ?" the man below called out.

He was somewhat older, a tourist. He had dressed for the occasion, wore sundry belts and instruments, his canteen was new and covered with felt. He was the complete Alpine climber, down to the boots and up to the tiny feather of the felt hat. But he was a novice and

suffered from dizziness. During the pauses, his eyes remained glued obstinately to the stone inches from his nose, his mouth twitched and his whole body pressed against the cliff, crucified there by terror.

Nicolas guessed his thoughts. Monsieur Gontheir was wondering what insane impulse, what ill-inspired snobbism, had turned him into a mountain climber. His quivering fingers often caressed the rope that held him to the guide.

-Is it much farther ?" he insisted pleadingly.

"About a hundred yards, Monsieur"

Nicolas was aware that his client had lost all his fine :ust for mountain sports. When they reached the top of this cliff, he would not consider going on to the peak, over the glacier. He would complain of illness and suggest that he be taken down by the trail. And he would tip Nicolas heavily with a suggestion that the guide should keep the incidents of the trip to himself, for Gontheir had boasted loudly down below.

The mountaineer smiled. He had reached a sort of platform, twelve inches wide and three feet in length, hewed from the cliff to enlarge a natural ledge. He nursed his client upward with light jerks on the rope, and when the panting man was at his side, he stretched a big forearm across his back to steady him.

"Take a look, Monsieur," he urged. "The view is magnificent." Gontheir, his face like moist putty, peeped over one shoulder. Then his glance sought the rock again: "Magnificent, yes."

"An eagle's view," Nicolas laughed. "Only we have no wings. Four years ago a gentleman fell from here. He was a Dane who had climbed all over the world. Nearly three hundred meters to the first stop." He removed his arm. "I'll go ahead and hoist you later. You have to swing yourself in space once or twice."

Nicolas reached out, his horny palm fastened on stone, and he was off. Thirty feet above his companion, he found the spot on which he could stand at ease. He looked down at Gontheir, who strove to clutch the mountain to his breast. Then he grasped the rope, rubbed it vigorously against a sharp edge, until a twist of his wrists broke it.

"Look, Monsieur." Nicolas waited until the other lifted his white face, then showed him the frayed ends, "That's the way mountains accidents occur, you see. Here's your end, Monsieur."

Gontheir's eyes foliou.eci the rope until he caught a glimpse of the gap beim': His mouth opened, and a weak shrill yelp of horror escaped from his lips.

"Monsieur, you are in no danger," Nicolas said, lighting a pipe. "The mountain is solid. Monsieur came to the mountain two days ago, and scorned them. Climbing them was play for boys. You said so. You. stopped at the Palace Hotel. Do you remember speaking to the maid weho served your dinner that evening ? Maria—a very pretty girl."

"I didn't say anything offensive—" Gontheir protested.

"You didn't. But you, a fine gentleman from Paris with a big car and good clothes. you talked like her friend. And she said she was engaged to me. Do you recall what you told her ?"

"No. Nothing offensive. I'm positive "

"You told her it was a shame for a dainty, pretty girl like her to marry a lout, a mountaineer. You laughed at me. Monsieur—you told her you had invited me for a drink that afternoon, when you hired me fo• this trip, and that I perspired when I walked across the lobby of the Palace Hotel, because I was embarrassed. You said that I didn't know what to do with my hands. You knew she wouldn't repeat that to me, too. But I saw she was a bit ashamed of me that night, and she spoke of my manners. So I found out where she had got that idea."

"Now I seldom go into the lobby; I seldom drink in the cafe. Those are not the places I'm used to. But I accepted your invitation, on your own ground. This time we're in a place where you are embarrassed and I'm not. You come and join me here, and I'll reattach the rope.

"I'll give you five thousand francs to help me," Gontheir promised. "Arid if 1 die, it's murder."

"Mountain accident, Monsieur. Frayed rope. That happens every season."

Gontheir was mute. He tried to move, trembled and moaned. Nicolas watched him, saw that his nerve had failed completely He felt no scorn, for he had seen men of proved courage frightened in the mountains. After five minutes he fastened a spare rope to his pick, securely wedged in the rock and slid down to his client.

"You see, Monsieur," he said, fastening the loose end about Gontheir's body, "that it isn't always easy to play another man's game."

Nicolas-once more at the end of the rope, the tourist took heart, and they reached the top of the cliff. Gontheir sank clown, wiped his face, swallowed from his canteen.

"I offered you five thousand francs to come and get me. You did. The offer sticks."

Nicolas scowled and shook his head.

"No, if you think your life has been saved, I'll charge you what I think it's worth, ten francs. I wanted to give you a lesson. Even a gentleman like you can be taught a few things. You can complain at the manager's office. Let's go."

He indicated the easy trail leading to the valley. For a long moment, Gontheir hesitated. Some inner struggle crowded his face. then he spoke calmly :

"Nicolas, I hired you to take me to the top."

"You are serious, Monsieur ?" Nicolas looked at him steadily. "You will go on, acrosrs The ice and up to the peak, with me ?" "We have to learn,- Gontheir added.    

Nicolas grinned and stretched out his wide hand. "Monsieur, you're a man. Let's go."