She was glad enough when the end of
the road was reached and the truck began to push its way into the
wilderness, giving her an excuse to walk.
No need to describe the trip in detail. Within three days the truck was
as far as it could go up the rock wall of the "edge." The point selected
was about twenty miles west of where Cunora was hid, and directly
opposite the upper end of her home valley. No attempt was made to go
over the top as Rolla had done; instead, about two miles below the ridge
a crevasse was located in the granite; and by means of some two tons of
powder a narrow opening was made through to the other side. Through it
the men carried their supplies on their backs, transferring everything
to improvised sleds, a hundred pounds to a man.
While this was being done, Rolla hurried east and located Cunora. The
girl was in a pitiful condition from lack of proper food, and
comparative confinement and constant strain. But during Rolla's absence
she had seen none of the bees.
"What are you going to do now?" she asked Rolla, after the explorer had
told her story.
Rolla shrugged her shoulders indifferently. "These gods," she declared
with sublime confidence, "can do no wrong! Whatever they propose must be
for the best! I have done my part; now it is all in the hands of the
Flowing Blossom!"
Not until they reached the head of the valley which had been her home
did Rolla ask Somat as to the plan.
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