38 "Mature Stufcies in Berfcsbire. 



at the head of the ravine which makes up the mount- 

 ainside, for we were crossing the dry bed of the brook, 

 which could have no other outlet. Why should we 

 not shorten our way and extend our information by 

 a short cut to the base of the mountains through this 

 ' ' Mossy Gill ? " The motion was put to vote and the 

 vote was at once put into motion. We threaded our 

 way along the almost dry bed of the stream, down a 

 grade which at first was adapted to a dignified and 

 graceful gait, as we stepped from stone to stone. 



But presently scene, surroundings, and footpath 

 all changed. The young maples and birches gave 

 place to tall hemlocks, looking down on the prostrate 

 trunks of their ancient comrades. The bed of the 

 brook took a more decided pitch downward and the 

 little ledges, worn by the waters of many spring 

 freshets and smooth and slippery with moss, began 

 to make drops of four, and six, and eight feet. We 

 left the boulders and crept along the side of the 

 gorge, thrusting our feet deep into the mouldy soil, 

 and between fallen trunks and tree limbs. Soon we 

 came to a ledge some fifteen feet in height, where a 

 smooth log, caught in the clefts of the rocks, tempted 

 the clerical brother to try a sort of primitive to- 

 boggan slide. The slide was accomplished, but the 

 damage to his apparel, especially his pantaloons, 

 was irreparable. The rest of the party slid, crawled, 

 and dropped in other ways to the ledges below. 



But a harder pinch came a few moments later, 

 when we found ourselves caught between flank- 



