78 THE MONK. 



gress ; the snow was so soft, owing to its recent fall, that the mulfes 

 sank in above their knees at every step. We were, therefore, 

 obliged to dismount, and proceed on foot with the assistance of long 

 staves, with which we had provided ourselves. In the mean time, 

 the sun was obscured by dense clouds, the sky became overcast, and 

 a low moaning noise, like the sound of the distant ocean, occasion- 

 ally broke on the otherwise death-like stillness. There was a chill- 

 ing gloom cast around every object, respiration became difficult and 

 oppressive, from the attenuated state of the atmosphere. The walk- 

 ing was toilsome and difficult in the extreme, frequently as much 

 ground being lost by one unfortunate slip, as had required several 

 steps to gain. 



We had advanced in this manner for some time in silence, when 

 I felt a smarting, prickling sensation on my face, and I turned to 

 one of the guides to inquire its meaning. He pointed to the mules, 

 and I observed that the vacant saddles were covered with small 

 white particles. " It is the snow," he said, " and the storm is ga- 

 thering fearfully fast about us. Do you see yon peak ?" I strained 

 my eyes in the direction where he pointed, and saw, at a considera- 

 ble distance, a craggy point, which was scarcely discernible through 

 the increasing darkness. " So long as we can descry that point we 

 are safe," he continued, " but we must lose no time." " How far 

 are we from the convent ?" I asked. " A strong league yet," he 

 replied ; " but I have traversed the way often, and know it well, 

 every spot is familiar to me by day and night.'' He said this in a 

 seemingly careless manner, but there was a degree of anxiety about 

 his tone and gesture which did not escape my notice. 



The speaker was a tall, athletic man, about forty years of age. 

 From the strength and symmetry of his figure he seemed formed to 

 endure hardship and to achieve enterprise ; his countenance was 

 open and intelligent, and his broad forehead and dauntless eye at 

 once bespoke courajye and daring, combined with prudence and fore- 

 sight. I had had much conversation with him during the day, and 

 had learned some of his history. He was a native of Thun, and 

 had, in common with all the Swiss peasantry, that devoted attach- 

 ment to country and home which has become proverbial. During 

 his early life he had passed through most of the European states, in 

 the capacity of courier to different travellers, and possessed a good 

 deal of information, with a superiority of air and language to the 

 generality of his class. I felt the atmost confidence and reliance in 

 this man's knowledge and guidance, for faithfulness to trust has 

 ever been the characteristic of the Swiss nation. The sequel proved 



