ession, and by a narrow ledge at the
foot of the great cliff gain the other side, where another zigzag ascent
brought them onto the rocky slope leading over a quarter of a mile of
huge boulders to the summit.

The passage across the face of the mountain was the most difficult part
of the ascent. It lay along a narrow ledge hanging, so it seemed, half-
way down the perpendicular cliff which rose out of the hollow, crater-
like basin sheer up to the summit.

It was tolerably level, but the narrowness of the track and the
precipitous height above and below called for a cool head and a steady
foot. In frosty weather like the present it needed special caution, and
every step had to be carefully judged on the treacherous path. However,
they passed it safely. Julius alone seemed to find it difficult. The
dog was strangely awkward to-day.

He slid about where the others walked steadily, and whimpered at
obstacles which they seemed scarcely to heed.

"Now for the grub," cried Percy, as they landed safely on the other
side. "I say, Jeff, I call that something like a mountain, don't you?
I'm quite sorry we're over the worst of it, aren't you?"

"We've got the view to see yet," responded Jeffreys.

"We shall be up in half an hour."

"And it will take us as long to come down as to go up to-day," said
Jeffreys, "so we ought not to lose much time."

Off they started again after a hurried but highly appreciated meal, in
which the dog took only a very moderate share. The remaining portion of
the ascent was simple enough. The zigzag onto the top shoulder was if
anything less steep than the lower one, and the path, being rougher
underfoot, was less treacherous.

The scramble over the loose rocks at the top onto the cairn was not
altogether plain sailing. In summer it was easy enough, but now, with
the surface of the great boulders as slippery as glass, it was hardly to
be traversed except on the hands and knees.

Poor Julius floundered about pitifully, unable to keep his feet, and
disappearing bodily now and then among the interstices of the rocky way.
Even Percy and Jeffreys stumbled once or twice awkwardly, and reached
the summit with bruised limbs. But _finis coronat opus_, especially on
a mountain.

As they sprang up the cairn a view unequalled in grandeur broke upon
them. The frosty air was without haze in any quarter. The Scotch hills
beyond the border and the broad heaving sea lay apparently equally
within