ASIA MINOR. 121 



a considerable distance. But the water here had not been tempered 

 by the sun and air, and was so benumbingly cold, that we declined 

 his invitation. We then scratched our names on the roof of the 

 cavern, and returned to day-light, v • ' . : 



The most arduous and fatiguing part of our journey still remained 

 to be performed, the face of the mountain being so rugged and steep 

 as to prevent our riding. We therefore followed our guide on foot, 

 climbing and scrambling like goats from crag to crag. Here we 

 could not help noticing how much more secure-footed he was in his 

 bear-skin sandals, than we in our English shoes. He told us, that 

 the bear, of whose skin his sandals were made, had been killed by 

 himself on this very mountain ; the hair of the skin was outwards, to 

 give a firmer hold of the ice and snow. Wlien we had proceeded 

 about two miles on our winding road from the cavern, we reached the 

 beginning of the snowy district ; and here it required some enthusiasm 

 and courage to keep to our resolution, as our guide assured us that 

 three trying hours would be employed in reaching the summit. ;• , 



Reflecting however how much we might hereafter regret having 

 been so very near the object of our wishes without accomplishing 

 them ; we halted for a short time, and then set off with renewed 

 ardour. After climbing two hours through the snow, my feet often 

 giving way, my strength and spirits failed, and I determined to stop 

 here, desiring the guide and my companion to be careful in their 

 return not to miss me ; and to mark the place I made a number of 

 crosses on the snow. However, on my friend's assuring me of my 

 danger being greater if I should suffer myself to be overcome by 

 sleep in consequence of my fatigue, than if I proceeded with him, 

 I went forward ; and, continuing our steep ascent, we reached in half 

 an hour the highest point of Gargarus. 



On this fearful summit of Ida we found a level surface of no great 

 extent ; it was of an oblong form, with a rudely-built wall around it, 

 in which were a few small blocks of marble. This inclosure may 

 probably have been a Greek church, or perhaps only a sheep-pen 

 raised for the protection of the flocks in the summer months. 



R 



