372 Dr James Macaulay on the Physical Geography^ 



a northern winter may be presented. The cold experienced 

 there is often extremely intense. Snow sometimes covers the 

 hills for a considerable period, and scarcely a winter passes in 

 which some of the inhabitants do not perish amidst storms, 

 while crossing the mountains. On the desolate upland of the 

 Paul de Serra such accidents are especially frequent, so that 

 the natives regard that tract with feelings of gloomy and su- 

 perstitious dread. On one occasion a party of us narrowly 

 escaped adding another to the list of dreary legends connected 

 with the place. We had set out from the village of St Vin- 

 cente early in the morning of the 2d of April, intending to 

 cross the Paul de Serra to the springs of Raba^al, and to re- 

 turn the same evening. During the latter part of March there 

 had been much snow on the hills ; but a few days of warm sun- 

 shine had removed it so far as to enable us to cross from Fun- 

 chal to the north of the island, on the previous day, without 

 any difficulty. The weather was, however, still disagreeable, 

 and the morning so far suspicious as to induce us to provide 

 against being overtaken by a storm, by carrying along with us 

 additional clothing and other comforts. The mountain summits 

 being clear, and our time in that part of the island being then 

 limited, we did not wish to postpone our visit to Rabagal. The 

 party consisted of three strangers, with our three native bour- 

 roquieros or horsemen, a carrier, and a peasant who professed 

 to act as guide. After proceeding a short way up the beauti- 

 ful valley of St Vincente, we struck off to the right by a steep 

 road, if such a name may be given to the path by which wo 

 ascended the mountains. Accustomed as we had been to the 

 rudeness of the island roads, and to the feats of the horses, wo 

 were yet astonished to see them achieve this rocky ascent 

 About two hours' riding brought us to the upper limits of tho 

 forest ground, and we entered on the more open heath. In 

 ascending, we had encountered one or two heavy showers, but 

 the wind drove the clouds rapidly on, so that we still had in 

 the intervals a clear view of the valleys and villages beneath 

 us, and of the wide ocean in the distance. Gradually, how- 

 ever, the weather began to thicken, and, after proceeding some 

 'miles across the Serra, we were wholly enveloped in mist. Wo 

 soon found need for all our spare coverings ; and eo picrcin^^ 



