David crossly accepted this decision as they seemed to have come more than half-way and he needed a rest himself. Although they were so high, there was no breath of wind and the heat was stifling. Over behind the black rocks crowning the summit the sky was copper-coloured and the whole world seemed waiting for the storm which would not break. It may have been the weather, or it may, as David wondered to himself later, have been the influence of the mountain which had such a bad reputation, but from this moment they all started squabbling. Nothing went right as they continued the journey. The twins blamed him for bringing them this way, and even went as far as to say that they wished they had stayed at home. Then Dickie got a blister and Mary a stitch. But at last they toiled up to where the track turned to the right along the topmost ridge, above which were piled the black rocks of the summit.

"Gosh!" said Dickie. "It looks like another mountain on the top of this one. I s'pose you're going to force us to go up, David?"

"You can do what you jolly well like," snapped David. "I'm sick of both of you and your quarrelling. Of course, as soon as you see Peter, you'll both put on your best manners and be your silly, irritating selves and interrupt each other as usual... And why don't you let Mac walk, Mary, instead of carrying him round as if he'd lost the use of his legs? You spoil that dog. He can walk ten miles farther than you any day."

"You BEAST, David! You uttah beast! Look at him! He's dyin' of thirst almost in this vile place you've brought us to. Don't speak to us again. We hate you - all of us - me, and Dickie and Mackie, too!" and she burst into tears.

Mechanically, Dickie fumbled for a handkerchief, while David hated himself for being so snappy. Somehow he made his peace and they went on until even the heather was left behind and the track swung off to the left of the rocks towering above them.

"We'll rest here for a bit," David observed. "Peter would know the way we'd come, I expect, and I can't lug Sally up the rocks."

Mary seemed ready to rest again, but Dickie suddenly said:

"You two can stay here. I'm not afraid of the old devil. I'm going to climb up there and sit in his chair and watch for Peter."

"Dickie!" gasped Mary. "Aren't you afraid?"

"Awful," replied her twin. "I'm trembling all over, but I said I would, and I will. I jolly well will, and you'd better come too, twin... Then we can both be frightened, and it won't be so bad as me being frightened by myself."

Mary looked doubtful, then said, stoutly enough: