200 ON THE FEONTIEK. 



the mountain-side rounded away to our right, revealing the 

 sky, which, cut by the dazzling white of the snow, seemed of 

 the brightest deepest blue. 



"We pushed eagerly forward through the deep heavy 

 snow to ascertain what was beyond the curve. When we got 

 round the shoulder, the gap which had so long been our 

 objective point came into full view, right in front of us. 



" It was apparently five or six miles away, at a slightly 

 lower level than we stood at, and showed an opening of 

 perhaps a couple of miles in width, which looked like a 

 huge bite out of the upper edge of the rim that had come 

 into full view, and of which the mountain we stood on was a 

 huge spur. 



" Our position was not pleasant. Should the way get any 

 steeper, it would become impracticable. Should our moving 

 weight start the snow sliding, we might be precipitated with 

 an avalanche of it into the valley below. 



" The question, Where can we pass the night ? forced 

 itself upon my consideration. Not where we then were 

 that was impossible. To go back to the ravine we had left 

 was the safest thing to do, and if I .had had plenty of food 

 for ourselves and animals, I should certainly have done so ; 

 but being in a state bordering on destitution, I was very 

 loth to lose either time or any portion of our hard-earned 

 advance. 



"To make the gap that night was equally an impossi- 

 bility* The snow had become very deep, the air greatly 

 rarefied, and our animals already showed signs of distress. 

 Besides, the gap might be only a sharp comb quite per- 

 pendicular on its other side. But beyond us, where the 





