ecipice several hundred feet in height, over which we saw rapidly
hurried all the small pieces of ice, that we loosened with our feet.
Our situation was similar to that of a person scaling the steep and
iced roof of a lofty house, and constantly liable, by an incautious
step, to be suddenly precipitated over the eaves. After we had been
proceeding in this manner for some time, I looked down on the Plateau
beneath, for the guide we had left, and when at last I discerned him,
like a speck on the snow, my head began to grow dizzy at the idea of
the distance below me, and I was forced to keep my head averted from
this side, to recover from this disagreeable feeling.

Our guides had attached themselves and us with cords, each three
persons together, as when passing the glacier. They were provided with
large iron cramps fastened to their feet, which prevented them from
slipping. Doctor Van Ranselaer and myself had found this contrivance
impede too much our walking, and after a short trial had given it up,
so that we had to rely on the firmness of foot of those guides to whom
we were tied, to preserve us in case of our falling. I am not entirely
convinced, that if one of us had had the misfortune to fall, and were
slipping down the declivity, he would not have drawn his two
companions, in spite of these precautions, over the precipice. To add
to our difficulties, the sun was excessively bright, and almost
blinded us, notwithstanding the gauze veils with which we were all
provided.

Fortunately, we met with but few crevices; however, on passing one of
these that was hid by the snow, I suddenly sunk, but my body being
thrown forward by this motion, my breast opposed a larger surface to
the snow which thus supported me, and I was easily extricated by a
guide. On looking back through the hole I had broken, I could perceive
the black cavity beneath.

At one period, our path necessarily led us close under a wall of snow,
more than 150 feet high, from the top of which projected several large
masses of snow, that appeared to require only a touch to bring them
down on our heads. Our captain pointed out our danger, and enjoined
us to pass as quickly as possible, and to observe the strictest
silence. When we looked up at these

-------- Toppling crags of ice,
The avalanches, whom a breath draws down
In mountainous o'erwhelming,

we felt no disposition to disobey his directions, but passed on with
hurried step, and in the sti