262 



mass of rock, unvaried by even the smallest trace of vegeta- 

 tion, except a few straggling lichens may be so called. From 

 the above-mentioned ridge, we scrambled, with considerable 

 difficulty and some risk, over masses of detached rock, lightly 

 studded with trees and shrubs, by which our progress was much 

 aided for about 1000 feet farther, till we reached the summit 

 of one of the defiles, where, for a while, all farther advance 

 seemed to be forbidden. Hence we saw Mount Warning 

 bearing east by south, and about twenty-five miles distant 



On a careful scrutiny of the fearful precipices which over- 

 hung us, Capt Logan detected a path by which it appeared 

 possible, and barely possible, to ascend ; so, putting off our 

 shoes and stockings, and leaving the rest of the party behind, 

 he and I began scrambling on hands and knees to the first 

 peak, a height of about 300 feet, with great difficulty, but 

 having once attained a certain elevation, we had no alterna- 

 tive but to proceed, any attempt at returning in this direction 

 appearing totally impracticable. To cast a glance down- 

 wards was most perilous, for a dreadful chasm, 1600 feet 

 deep, yawned below us; while to the right extended a track- 

 less labyrinth of detached rocks : to look forward was enough 

 to quell the firmest courage, by displaying the dangers 

 difficulties that beset our path; so that all we could do was, 

 by clinging fast with our great toes, to trust ourselves to small 

 nodules on the surface of the cra^s, and thus to effect an 

 advance by suspending our weight on slender twigs of Casu- 

 arina and Metrosideros, whose appearance scarcely warranted 

 them strong enough to support a goat. When the surnmij 

 . of this peak was gained, my nerves were so much ag>t»^^^^^ 

 that I was forced to lie down on a rock, 

 against a bush till I recovered. 



an 



d 



restin 



ndj 



Capt. Logan now proceeded towards the next peak, a 

 as soon as I possibly could, I followed him, leaving my sho^^ 

 and collecting-bags behind. From the size of the detached 

 portions of rock, and the stunted nature of the shrubs o 

 Casuarina, Eucahjptus, and Brmksia, which start up here 

 and there between the fissures, our progress was both dii"- 

 cult and dangerous ; and finding it hopeless to climb far °^ 



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