34 



SUBJECT CONTINUED 



masses of rock down the precipice, and this often 

 required the united strength of the whole party, 

 though continually effected by the mere force of the 

 wind. But they took care not to venture too far 

 from their hut, lest the clouds should suddenly 

 gather round them, and preclude the possibility of 

 returning. The door of the hut, meanwhile, was 

 fastened with leather thongs, and not the smallest 

 crevice was left unstopped: it was also compactly 

 thatched with straw, yet still the wind penetrated 

 through. 



The days were seldom more cheerful than the 

 nights, and all the light that could be obtained was 

 that of two lamps, which the astronomers kept burn- 

 ing that they might distinguish one another, and em- 

 ploy their minds by reading. Though the hut was 

 small, and crowded with inhabitants, the cold was 

 such that each was obliged to have a chafing-dish of 

 coals beside him. These precautions would have ren- 

 dered the rigour of the climate supportable, had not 

 the imminent danger of perishing by being blown 

 down the precipice roused them every time it snowed, 

 to encounter the severity of the outward air, and to 

 sally out with shovels to free the roof of their 

 hut from the accumulated weight. The party were 

 not indeed without servants and Indians, but 

 these were so benumbed with the cold, that it was 

 difficult to induce them to move out of a small tent, 

 where they kept a continual fire. All that could be 

 obtained from them was to take their turn ; even 

 this was done unwillingly and consequently with 

 little spirit. 



Twenty- three tedious days were thus passed on 



