212 



Report of a Journey Around the World. 



Fig. 163 gives a faint idea of this fine mountain we intended to see 

 closer at hand. Our way on lay along Lake Pukaki which had 

 the true glacial tint. About three miles from the hotel we had a 

 "blow-out", but this did not delay us long. I was surprised at 

 the smoothness of the roads in this region far from habitations; 

 where we had to ford a brook the bottom was firm and gravelly. 

 The Hermitage was neat and attractive, and our rooms gave us 

 views of the mountain tops. Two agreeable ladies w 7 ere the only 



162. FRONT OF THE MUI.LER GLACIER. 



guests, for it was early in the season. As soon as we were settled 

 our host, Mr. Cook, took us a short walk to the Hooker River and 

 the Muller glacier front (Fig. 162); as we were returning we were 

 fortunate in seeing an avalanche on Mt. Sefton before we heard its 

 thunder. We had a letter to Peter Graham, the guide, whom we 

 met on this walk ; a fine young fellow whom one would like at sight. 

 Wednesday, Nov. 6. The morning was lowering, and a severe 

 cold added to my lameness decided me to let my secretary go to the 

 Tasman glacier without me. This glacier is fourteen miles long, 

 one of the largest out of Arctic regions. So after a proper outfit 

 of shoes and spats my companion started on horseback with the 



guide Thompson to pass the night on the ice. I put on my sweater 



[360] 



