g
over the ridge, descended once more into a shallow valley, on the other
side of which the mountain rose at a moderate inclination, which, it
appeared to us, we could mount without any impediment till we reached
the summit. Thence we expected to obtain a magnificent prospect over
the sea on one side, and the country towards the interior on the other.

We did get up it somehow or other, panting and exhausted, with our heads
aching and our eyes dizzy, to encounter a fierce snow-storm which shut
out all objects from view. To remain here longer might prove our
destruction; we soon, therefore, began our descent. But the traces of
our upward path were obliterated, and after descending a short distance
we discovered that we had lost our way. I had gone some little distance
ahead of the rest of the party, when I saw before me a gentle slope of
snow, by sliding down which I fancied that I should quickly arrive at
the bottom; so, calling to my companions, I began slipping gently
downwards.

"It's very pleasant and easy," I shouted out--"come along;" and on I
went.

I had gone some hundred yards, when, the atmosphere clearing, I saw
rising before me a perpendicular cliff, which I knew was the opposite
side of a deep chasm. Unless I could stop myself, I should be dashed to
pieces. I thereupon dug my arms and legs into the snow; but still on I
went. I now heard a shout, and looking up I saw Tommy laughing merrily
as he descended, totally unaware of the fearful peril he was in. I
cried out to him to stop himself if he could; but he did not understand
what I said. On I went; not a tree nor a rock appeared to which I could
cling. The precipice could not have been fifty yards before me, when,
making another desperate effort, I got my feet through the snow and
fixed against a rock in the ground. Still Tommy came on, with the rest
of the party some way above him. Just as he shot by me, I seized him by
the leg and brought him up. "Why did you do that?" he cried out, even
then not knowing how close he was to the edge of the precipice. When he
saw it, he joined his shouts with mine; and then pointing to the left,
where I observed that the inclination was less steep, we directed the
party towards it. Scrambling along on our knees and hands, we joined
them; and now, moving with the greatest care, fearing every instant to
be sent sliding down to our right, we at length reached a ledge by which
we made our way into the valley.