34 



AFOOT THROUGH THE 



on heel-less chaplis is distinctly inferior to tobogganing. 

 It cut off nearly four miles of road, and by taking 

 advantage of my accidental collapses, when the track 

 wore its least amiable aspect, I was able to rest myself 

 and collect specimens of the numberless small blue and 

 white blooms that had been tempted by the fine day 

 to come out and have a look round, and I was also 

 enabled thereby to account for my unsteadiness, which 

 might otherwise have shaken the confidence of the 

 stalwart followers in my powers to walk down a rocky 

 staircase with either skill or grace. 



Below my old friend was waiting 



Below my old friend was waiting, and at last he was 

 convinced of the genuine character of my strolls, but 

 was concerned for the blisters contracted in my rock 

 degringolade. " Much salt will harden," was his 

 excellent advice, proffered at the same time as a large 

 posy of roses and iris held by a minute grand-daughter, 

 the vast number of her black plaits testifying to 

 the excellence of her condition in life rather than the 

 thickness of her hair! 



