Mejjliant Tracls near the Siinnnit. 411 



clination to proceed farther, but appeared desirous of passing 

 the night at the last halting-place, which was nothing but a 

 sort of hovel. It was only by a resolute expression of our 

 determination to reach the summit the same evening that they 

 gave in. Their reluctance arose from an idea that no one could 

 with impunity pass the night on the highest point of the moun- 

 tain — which, indeed, is natural enough, since the sharp night- 

 air at such an elevation may well be prejudicial to the health 

 of those who are not sufficiently protected against its attacks. 



The last portion of the ascent is so steep, and so difficult, 

 that all superfluous baggage was left behind, and we took with 

 us only what was absolutely indispensable. Thus far we had 

 seen occasional traces of elephants, sometimes so fresh, that 

 they could not have been more than an hour old. According 

 to a report of Major Skinner, the unmistakable marks of one of 

 these animals was remarked in the year 1840 quite close to the 

 rock which bears the sacred footprint ! At the steepest points, 

 iron ladders have been made fast, by which the visitor has to 

 scramble up. There were, also, innumerable chains fastened to 

 the rock, of every description and variety of link, which swung 

 to and fro by dozens on either hand, some eaten away with 

 age and rust, some forged quite lately, it being considered a 

 meritorious work to provide such as a protection against the 

 occurrence of accidents. By 6 p.m., we at last reached the 

 summit, and were rewarded with a panoramic view of inde- 

 scribable magnificence. The mists were almost entirely dis- 

 persed, and in the clear, calm, evening light, the eye wandered 



