Niglit-sccne on Summit. 415 



to reach the summit by daylight. By degrees we perceived a 

 number of torches borne by natives, who, with loud and long- 

 continued cheers, set about slowly ascending the ladders. To 

 the inquiries of our followers they made no reply ; and we had, 

 in a word, to wait a considerable interval, until, indeed, the 

 leading torch-bearer had reached the summit, ere we were 

 enlightened as to the object of this mysterious nocturnal visit. 

 How great, and let us add, agreeable was our surprise at finding 

 ourselves suddenly surrounded by a choice array of wines, 

 with food of various sorts, which the overflowing hospitality 

 of Mr. Mooyart had dispatched after us to the summit of Adam's 

 Peak, together with his card, the whole being conveyed in huge 

 baskets by the supposed spectres ! A cheerful fire speedily 

 blazed up, at which our tea and provisions were cooked, and, 

 as may well be supposed, while, enjoying our delicate fare, we 

 thankfully toasted the kind and thoughtful donor. 



Deep silence once more fell on all around, no cry of any 

 wild beast reached us at this elevation, no hum of insect broke 

 upon the awful stillness. Our coolies lay cowering together 

 around the drooping blaze, seeking some shelter against the 

 night air. One division stowed themselves away in a second 

 sleeping-house for priests, which had been run up some twenty 

 paces distant, in which we also were in the end fain to seek 

 shelter from the ever-increasing keenness of the air, the 

 temperature of which fell to 54°'5 Fahr., where, with our 

 wrappers drawn close around us, and stretched at full length 

 on the bare rock, we awaited the approach of morning. 



