nd we then proceeded along the base of the
mountains to the southward, in the hope of finding some opening in the
cliffs, or a practicable path up which we might climb. Our rifles were
slung at our backs, and we each carried a long pole, on the strength of
which we could thoroughly depend.

At length we came to an opening. It did not look very promising, but it
was the only one which offered us any means of penetrating into the
mountains, and ultimately, as we hoped, of getting over them. For some
distance we kept along a ledge which gradually ascended, with a steep
precipice on one side and an almost perpendicular cliff on the other.
Gradually, however, the ledge became broader, and we forced our way
among the trees which grew on it.

Manley proved himself an excellent mountaineer; and as I had for many
years been accustomed to climbing, I ventured along paths which many
would have hesitated to follow.

I cannot describe the whole of that day's journey--the dreadful
precipices along which we scrambled, the profound gorges into which it
almost made the head giddy to look down, the rugged heights we climbed,
the thick forests of pine through which we penetrated. Still, we did
not complain, hoping that success would crown our efforts.

At length we reached a place near trees and water, which would supply us
with the only necessaries we required; so we built a rough shelter with
boughs, for the wind was piercingly cold. We were able to defy it,
however, with the help of a large fire, which we kept blazing in front
of our hut.

We were making better progress than I had expected, but still range upon
range of snowy mountains lay between us and the western slopes which it
was our object to descend. Perhaps our trials and fatigues had only
just commenced. However, none of us were inclined to give in; and as we
got some sound sleep by turns, we were prepared after breakfast to set
out again.

Up, up we went, the cold increasing rapidly. Every hollow below us was
filled with snow; still, we could find no canon or gorge of any
description through which to make our way. Over the range we must go--
or, at all events, some lofty shoulder of it. We had now to encounter a
new description of danger, too. The snow lay on the only practicable
path, and it might conceal deep crevasses; or an avalanche might descend
from above, and overwhelm us; or the mass, slipping from beneath our
feet, might carry us down into one of