Ascent of the Jungfrau in 1841. 331 
angles with the direction of the glacier, the mountains which 
bound them to the south there threw out shadows of fantastic 
grandeur, while large black clouds accumulated behind the 
Aletschhorn, gave to the picture all the force worthy of such 
a subject. When to this it is added that a perfect calm in 
the atmosphere, and an absolute silence prevailed around us, 
it may easily be conceived that we still experienced extreme 
pleasure in admiring this unique spectacle, although we had 
contemplated so many grand views in the course of this day. 
We soon entered the region of fissures. We then thought 
it proper again to have recourse to the rope, for although 
the moonshine was very clear, the light was not sutliciently 
strong to enable us to distinguish with certainty the old 
snow from the fresh, particularly during the first quarter 
of an hour of our progress. We flew top over tail, so to 
speak, each in his turn, the guides as well as ourselves; for a 
short time one might have entertained rather serious appre- 
hensions regarding the issue of this passage, for at each step 
one or other of us was obliged to retire from a crevice. How- 
ever, we learned by degrees to avoid the crevices covered 
with snow, and we again extricated ourselves from this un- 
pleasant situation, without having to lament any severe acci- 
dent. 
On this subject I think it right to remark, that in general 
there is a tendency to exaggerate the dangers of fissures. A 
fall into a gulf, concealed by a bridge of snow, is no doubt a 
very serious matter, as we had too frequently occasion to ex- 
perience. But it is not without mitigating considerations, for 
it is rare that in such cases one falls to the bottom of the pre- 
cipice ; the snow which has given way under your feet al- 
ways affords more or less support, and, unless when leaping 
with the feet joined, one rarely sinks up to the breast. Strains 
are most to be feared in such cases. 
It was near nine o’clock, when, all of a sudden, we heard 
the cry of a shepherd in the distance. ‘ Bravo!’ we all ex- 
claimed, “ it is our Valaisan.” That we might not run the 
risk of fasting, in case of any accident happening to us, we 
had given him orders, on leaving the cottages, to start with 
provisions at six o’clock in the eyening, and go forward until 
