SHARP EDGE. 145 



ing to vary our line in returning to the place we 

 had left, we crossed the stream, and commenced a 

 steep ascent at the foot of Sharp Edge. We had 

 not gone far before we were aware that our journey 

 would be attended with perils ; the passage gradu- 

 ally grew narrower, and the declivity on each hand 

 awfully precipitous. From walking erect, we were 

 reduced to the necessity either of bestriding the 

 ridg*e or of moving on one of its sides, with our 

 hands lying over the top, as a security against 

 tumbling into the tarn on the left, or into a fright- 

 ful gully on the right, — both of immense depth. 

 Sometimes we thought it prudent to return; but 

 that seemed unmanly, and we proceeded; thinking 

 with Shakspeare that ' dangers retreat when boldly 

 they're confronted/ Mr. Otley was the leader, 

 who, on gaining steady footing, looked back on the 

 writer, whom he perceived viewing at leisure from 

 his saddle the remainder of his upward course." 

 On better ground they had a retrospect on Sharp 

 Edge, — which is the narrowest ridge on Saddle- 

 back, or any other north-of-England mountain. 

 In places, its top is composed of loose stones and 

 earth ; and, the stepping on the sides being as 

 faithless as the top, the Sharp Edge expedition 

 has less of safety in it than singularity. And now, 

 — those who, after this, like to go there, know 

 what to expect. 



The other mountain-lake, lying north-east of 



this, and called Bowscale Tarn, is also reputed to 



reflect the stars at noonday, but under 



BOWSCALE TAEN. -, . . . . , , J . . ... , 



so many conditions, that it will be a 

 wonder if anybody ever has the luck to see them. 

 It is in this tarn that, in the belief of the country 



K 



