to moan through the spruces. Far below them was the great black hole of the Notch—just a yawning pit with no bottom. Beyond it the shadowy bulk of Lafayette, Lincoln, Haystack and Liberty loomed up against the starry sky. From this side, not a single light was visible anywhere in the universe. The boys ate their supper almost in silence.
"Gee, this is lonely!" Peanut suddenly blurted out. "I'm going where I can see a light." He got up and climbed to the summit again, followed by all the others except Lou. They could look westward from the peak, and see the lamps in the houses down in the valley, and the blazing lights of the big hotel on Sugar Hill, and even the street lights in Franconia village.
"There is somebody else in the world!" cried Peanut. "Glad of that. I was beginning to think there wasn't."
Just as he spoke, a rocket suddenly went up from Sugar Hill, and burst in the air. It was followed by another, and another. The boys yelled at Lou to come and see the fireworks.
"Oh, dear," sighed Peanut, "why didn't I bring a rocket—just one would be better'n none. Wouldn't it be some sight for the folks down there to see it going up from the top of this old mountain, eh?"
"That would be some celebration, O. K.," Art cried. "My, let's come again next year and do it!"
