KESTREL. ^05 



and stockiiigS; and tried to get up, but was obliged to 

 return. However, I was determined to get in, and ob- 

 serving on the southern side a place where I thought 

 it possible to ascend, I commenced the arduous task. 

 When about half-way up, I was obliged to leave my 

 portables there, and throw my shoes and stockings 

 down the rock. When about six or eight yards from 

 the summit, I began to be seriously apprehensive, when 

 I saw how steep the part above me was, and looked 

 down upon the perpendicular cliff below ; but, by scrap- 

 ing little holes in the turf for my fingers and toes, J 

 made a safe ascent, and in a few minutes found myself 

 within the limits of the castle. After thanking Heaven 

 very fervently for my escape, I went through most of 

 the buildings. All was ruin and desolation. The 

 jackdaws and wild pigeons were nestling in the chim- 

 neys. Gulls of several kinds, and jackdaws, were in 

 the rocks ; and there also I observed two kestrels. The 

 plants seen on the top in flower were the Ranunculus 

 Ficaria and Draba verna; while on the face of the 

 rocks was abundance of Cheiranthus fruticulosus, Coch- 

 learia officinalis, and Statice Armeria, the latter not yet 

 expanded. After I had finished my observations, I 

 thought how difficult it would be to get down again, 

 I tried the slanting path near the gate, but it would 

 not do ; then endeavoured to move the bolt, but could 

 not; and, lastly, to break the lock itself, but it was too 

 strong. Then I took several views of the part by 

 which I had ascended, but was almost terrified to look 

 upon it. However, at length becoming apprehensive 

 that I should be obliged to remain on the rock all night, 

 I resolved to go deliberately to work ; and so, strange 



