DAYS IN DOVE DALE 21 



perpendicularly another hundred feet or so to 

 the outside top or head of the giant's cave, 1 and 

 as it presented jutting rocks, turfs of strong- 

 looking grass, and here and there a tough young 

 ash plant, I determined to try the ascent to the 

 top, in the hope of finding my way down the 

 other side of the mountain, rather than " retro- 

 grade " the way I had climbed so far ; and 

 accordingly I set to work, but I found this 

 tougher work than the first ascent. 



I had got nearly to the top when the terrible 

 thought assailed me, " Suppose there is no 

 outlet there ! " To descend the way I had 

 climbed, on looking down I felt to be quite 

 beyond my powers. 



In ascending I had prided myself on my 

 alpine, youthful agility, but now my poor old 

 limbs trembled violently beneath me ; it was 

 clear that I could not sleep on that little ledge, 

 I scorned the idea of shouting for assistance, 

 and if I had I do not quite see how anybody 

 could come to me ; so straining every nerve, I 

 managed to reach a friendly young sapling at 



1 I am told that in the guide books this rock is called 

 "Reynard's Cave," but I make a point of never looking 

 at guide books, 



