ated. Still, we did not
complain, hoping that success would crown our efforts.

At length we reached a place near trees and water, which would supply us
with the only necessaries we required; so we built a rough shelter with
boughs, for the wind was piercingly cold. We were able to defy it,
however, with the help of a large fire, which we kept blazing in front
of our hut.

We were making better progress than I had expected, but still range upon
range of snowy mountains lay between us and the western slopes which it
was our object to descend. Perhaps our trials and fatigues had only just
commenced. However, none of us were inclined to give in; and as we got
some sound sleep by turns, we were prepared after breakfast to set out
again.

Up, up we went, the cold increasing rapidly. Every hollow below us was
filled with snow; still, we could find no canon or gorge of any
description through which to make our way. Over the range we must
go--or, at all events, some lofty shoulder of it. We had now to
encounter a new description of danger, too. The snow lay on the only
practicable path, and it might conceal deep crevasses; or an avalanche
might descend from above, and overwhelm us; or the mass, slipping from
beneath our feet, might carry us down into one of the fathomless chasms
below. Notwithstanding this, we went on and on, until it would have been
as dangerous to turn back as to go forward.

I was taking the lead, when, on turning an angle of a rock, I saw spread
out before me a valley so broad that my eye could scarcely reach the
opposite side. Flowing through it were numerous streams; a large lake,
many miles in extent, occupied its centre; while hills and forests
dotted it in all directions. But, as I looked below, I saw a precipice
of fearful depth, which it would be impossible to descend.

I had observed, as I came by, a steep slope leading upwards on our
right, thickly covered with snow. I thought, however, that it might
afford us a way by which, having ascended it, we could reach a part of
the mountain from whence to descend with less risk than from that on
which we now stood, so I shouted to my companions to take it. Sergeant
Custis heard me, and we mounted together, expecting that Manley would
follow.

I looked round to speak to him, when what was my horror to see him
gliding rapidly down, surrounded by a vast mass of crumbling snow,
towards the edge of the precipice which I have just mentioned! My heart
san