came useless, as the drifts were so
deep against the hedges and gates, that the poor animals became imbedded
in them, and were unable to find any firm footing to leap from. The
servant therefore had to return with them long before I reached the
unenclosed mountain land, and I proceeded on my way alone.

The journey proved more difficult even than I had expected. The snow was
for the most part up to the knees and very soft, and the drifts were so
deep that they could only be crossed by crawling on hands and knees, as
any one will readily understand who has attempted to cross deep snow when
in a soft state. When I reached the open moorland the day was bright and
fine, and the snow stretched around me for miles in a dazzling expanse
very painful to the eyes, and unbroken by track, landmark, or footprint
of any living creature. The form of the country, however, was a
sufficient guide to my destination, and after a severe struggle over and
through the drifts, I reached my little church at a quarter-past three
o'clock, just two hours and a quarter from the time I had left
Wolstaston. A few people were assembled together, though no one had
really expected me, and after a short service I started on my homeward
journey, having refused the invitations of my kind people to stay the
night amongst them, as I was anxious to get back to Wolstaston in time
for my six o'clock evening service, and I did not anticipate that I
should encounter any greater difficulties in my return home than I had
done in coming to Ratlinghope.

During the three quarters of an hour, however, that we had been in
church, the aspect of the weather had completely changed. A furious gale
had come on from E.S.E., which, as soon as I got on the open moorland, I
found was driving clouds of snow and icy sleet before it. It was with
considerable difficulty that I made my way up the western ascent of the
hill, as I had to walk in the teeth of this gale. The force of the wind
was most extraordinary. I have been in many furious gales, but never in
anything to compare with that, as it took me off my legs, and blew me
flat down upon the ground over and over again. The sleet too was most
painful, stinging one's face, and causing such injury to the eyes, that
it was impossible to lift up one's head. I contrived, however, to fight
my way through it, and at length reached the crest of the hill. Though I
could not see many yards in any direction, I knew at this tim