ummits of the mountains,
that was evidently impossible. They consisted of jagged pinnacles, or
precipitous rocks covered with snow; and even the most experienced
mountaineers, supplied with ropes and all other appliances, could not
hope to surmount them.

At length, after traversing for some distance the mountain-side, we saw
before us a deep gorge, at the bottom of which rushed a torrent towards
the east.

"If we can find holding ground for our feet, we may get through there,"
said Manley.

Uncle Jeff agreed with him, so we made towards it. For ourselves we had
no fears, but we naturally felt very anxious for Clarice, who must
suffer from fatigue with such rough and dangerous climbing as lay before
us; although, in reality, with her correct eye and active feet, she was
as secure on the giddy heights and snowy ledges over which we passed as
any one of us.

Poor Rachel felt the cold greatly, and was less able to get along than
her young mistress. Still she persevered. "If you go I go, Missee
Clarice; never mind where," said the faithful creature; although very
often she crept along on her hands and knees rather than trust herself
to an upright position.

Thus, climbing along the side of the precipice, with a gorge so deep on
one side that the bottom was invisible, and the mountain rising on the
other apparently lost in the skies, we worked our way on until, after
descending again for some distance, we reached more level ground. It
was a large valley or plateau surrounded by mountains; those we had
crossed being on the one side, while a still more elevated range
occupied the other. Wild as was the scenery through which we had
passed, this was wilder still. It was traversed, however, by the stream
whose course we had followed, and although we were unable to see its
source, there could be no doubt that it descended from the lofty range
before us. A portion of the plateau was covered by a forest, nourished
by numerous rivulets, most of which flowed into larger streams, although
some found an outlet towards the southward. No signs of inhabitants
were visible; but game of every kind was most abundant, herds of deer,
mountain sheep, and birds of all descriptions.

"I am not the man to propose going back," said Uncle Jeff; "but unless
we can find an opening in these rocks, it is very clear that our present
party cannot go forward. I propose, therefore, that we should camp here
until we have explored the country