EXCURSION TO MALHAM, KILXSEY, AND BOLTON WOODS. 167 



The rain continued to fall heavily, but still indulging in the hope of 

 a fine day, we visited " Janets Cave," and were amply repaid by the sight 

 of the beautiful waterfall. We then pressed on to " Gordale Scar"* by 

 which time the storm of wind and rain had increased fourfold. Under 

 the shadow of the immense limestone clifB, we paid our homage to the 

 awfiilly grand spectacle before us. The clouds of thick mists hung over 

 the tops of the crags, whilst here and there a lurid light struggled to pierce 

 through ; and although our facetious friend was rarely silent, it was 

 notable that even he found it impossible to joke in the presence of such 

 terrible grandeur. The next place to visit was " Malham Tarn," and we 

 boldly made the attempt to scale the terror- striking gorge before ns. Those 

 only, who like ourselves have attempted the task in a storm, can form any 

 idea of the difficulties that beset us; it Avasno easy matter to obtain foot- 

 hold, and even then the wind seemed determined to hurl us to destruction. 

 At last we stood panting on the summit, and after mutual congratulatiuns, 

 we struck oiit in the direction of the Tai'n, Here fresh troubles awaited us; 

 the mists gathered more and more densely, until our view was restricted to 

 a circle, some six yai'ds in diameter. At this stage it was thought advisable 

 to consult our maps, but as we had neglected to take a compass they were 

 useless ; we therefore waded along in hopes of finding something to direct 

 us ; vain hope ! We were convinced that we had gone three times the dis- 

 tance requisite to reach our destination, but yet no sign appeared. The mist 

 grew still thicker, the rain fell still heavier, and the wind howled about U3 

 until it was a difficult matter to hold converse. In this plight we held a 

 short consultation, and deemed it best to remain stationary lest some 

 unforeseen danger might be in store. Could our friends have seen us at 

 this time, crouched under the ail-but useless umbrellas, no doubt they 

 would have enjoyed the sight and laughed heartily, but we failed to see 

 the fun of it. At length the mist began to roll away, and again starting, 

 we shortly succeeded in reaching the precise spot from which we set out. 

 At this time the rain ceased, the wind had exhausted its fury and went 

 gighing away, the heavy clouds rolled ofE as if ashamed of the part they 

 had played, and the sun shone out with renewed brilliancy. The M-alk 

 over the moors to Kilnsey Avas as beautiful and agreeable as the most 

 fastidious could desire. We reached the " Tennants Arms" a few minutes 



' N.B. - In climbing Gurdalc, we found a nest of the Dipper — Cinclus aquaticus, 

 containing young. 



