154 THE FOREST AND THE FIELD. 



ing brightly, the high lateral mountains inter- 

 cepted her rays, and cast a deep shade below. The 

 air felt cool and bracing, but not a leaf stirred, 

 which was most favourable for effective stalking, 

 as the taint in the air caused by man's presence is 

 carried on the wind to almost incredible distances, 

 and is immediately detected by the denizens of the 

 mountains, whose organs of scent are most keenly 

 developed. All was still save the rushing of the 

 waters, and not a sound denoted the existence of 

 animal life save that indescribable low hum, or 

 soft murmur of the invisible insect world, which 

 ever greets the hunter's ears in the early morning. 

 Having satisfied myself that we had every pros- 

 pect of fine weather for our expedition, I bid the 

 man who was on the look-out to rouse the people, 

 and in a few moments we all assembled round a 

 blazing fire. Having partaken of a substantial 

 breakfast, and superintended the packing of our 

 baggage, we lighted our cheroots, and waited until 

 there was sufficient light to distinguish our way, 

 when we shouldered our rifles, and set out for the 

 glacier, distant eighteen miles. We kept an ex- 



