AN ALPINE ASCENT 243 



produced a reindeer-hide strap, which we tied round 

 our waists, and proceeded downwards with the utmost 

 care over hardened snow, my companion making steps 

 in front as he advanced, whilst I waited behind in a 

 position of marvellous equilibrium, keeping the line as 

 taut as possible between us, and gradually loosening 

 it for the next step. At times bits of rock which we 

 cluno- to would detach themselves and q-q thunderino- 

 down the gully many hundred yards below with the 

 roar of an avalanche, threatening to disturb our sheep. 

 It took us over two hours, which seemed two centuries 

 to us, to reach the patch of grass marked by me as 

 being within range of the animals, and when I looked 

 up and saw the gorge we had just descended, I was 

 not sorry to think it belonged to the past. As for the 

 General, he had surpassed himself once more on this 

 occasion. Incredible as it may appear, after all the 

 noise we had so involuntarily made, on peeping over 

 a knob I found the herd in the same place, entirely 

 unsuspicious. 



At that moment the General, who was creeping 

 up behind me, caught me by the sleeve, pointing 

 to a couple of young rams which stood intently 

 watching our proceedings a few yards above us, and 

 slowly marched off whilst I was hastily picking out 

 my victim. Mosquitoes had never ceased to worry 



