Chapter 16, Darkness and Dawn Summary

The men rest for several minutes there on top of the needle, in view of the summit at last. It is tantalizingly close, perhaps only two hours away. It is late in the afternoon now, and Rudi realizes that there is no way the men will be able to reach even back to where they are now by nightfall. It is a very good thing they brought their tents. As they start upwards, it is obvious that the Captain is not doing very well. He stumbles constantly and has difficulty breathing. He has another coughing fit that causes him to lose balance and almost fall. Franz tells him that the group will pitch their tents just ahead and rest for the night. Both Winter and Saxo protest. The weather might not hold another day for them to...