OUR HOPES DISAPrOINTED. 293 



active assistance than lie had done hitherto. During 

 this day the valley appeared to open out widely a 

 few miles ahead, and we reached a rounded hill, from 

 which we could see some distance to the south. But 

 we were bitterly disappointed ; vast woods were still 

 before us without a sign of open country, and in the 

 distance the hills closed in most ominously. At 

 the foot of this eminence we crossed a rapid stream, 

 flowing into the main river by two channels some 

 twenty yards in width, which Mr. O'B. crossed with 

 great success by his improved method. 



The following day we struggled on from morning 

 to night without stopping, through difiiculties greater 

 than ever ; but on the 7th of August, the eighth 

 day of our being lost in the forest, we crossed 

 another stream, about thirty yards wide, clear and 

 shallow, and evidently not fed by mountain snows. 

 We named it Elsecar River. Soon after Ave were 

 greatly encouraged by entering upon a tolerably 

 level space, about a square mile in extent, the con- 

 fluence of five narrow valleys. Part of this was 

 timbered, some of it burnt, and the rest marshy 

 meadow, with a few stunted trees here and there. In 

 the burnt portion we found large quantities of small 

 bilberries, not yet ripe, on which we stayed and dined, 

 and then forced our way to the marshy open, where 

 we encamped. 



The hopes of speedy escape which had sprung 

 up when we first observed the retreat of the hills to 

 the west, were quickly dispelled. The flat proved 

 to be a mere oasis in the mountains, surrounded 

 by steep, pine- clad hills, from which the narrow gorges 



