life." We breakfasted on
the glacier, and after looking at some of the crevasses we were glad to
make our way back to our tent a few miles below. Next morning we
retraced our steps, and it was well we did so, for as we were rapidly
descending we had heavy rain, and could see snow falling where we had
been. The next day the whole region behind was covered with snow, and
we were thankful for our timely escape.

The details of travelling I have now given, and the previous details
about the country and people may perhaps enable the reader the better to
understand and realize missionary work in the Province.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER XXI.

THE ALMORA MISSION.

Stated mission work was commenced in Kumaon in 1850. Previous to that
time a few of its people had heard the Gospel from missionaries
travelling through it, or residing for a few months in it. In that year
the Rev. J. H. Budden, of the London Missionary Society, after labouring
for a time in Benares and Mirzapore, was obliged by the failure of
health to abandon all hope of continuing in the plains, and took up his
abode at Almora, the capital of the Province. The society declined to
enter on mission work in Kumaon; but Captain Ramsay, Senior Assistant to
the Commissioner, with other friends, came forward with most liberal
offers of support, and consent was given to Mr. Budden's entering into
an engagement to carry on the Mission as the agent of its local
supporters. For some time his entire salary and all expenses were met by
these friends. Afterwards a part of the salary was paid by the Society,
and for years the whole, but the friends who founded the Mission have on
to the present time supported it with princely munificence. At the head
of these is Sir Henry Ramsay, the Captain Ramsay of 1850, who has been
for many years the Commissioner of the Province, and who continues the
warm and liberal supporter of everything by which the spiritual as
well as the temporal good of the people may be promoted.

[Sidenote: WORK OF THE ALMORA MISSION.]

As the Mission at Almora was the first, so it continues to be the most
important in the Province. Organized and administered by Mr. Budden, and
heartily supported by friends on the spot, it has done a work which has
told powerfully and happily on the entire country. From the beginning
much attention has been paid to the education of the young. For a long
time the school of the Mission was the only one in the Province