STORM ON THE FELL. 177 



of swampy paths must be at all times, we pointed 

 out to one another how the light fleeces of cloud 

 below the black mass swept round in a circle, fol- 

 lowing each other like straws in an eddy. Soon, 

 the dark mass came driving up at such 



8T0B r E LL. THR a rate that ^ was clear we should not 

 finish our walk in good weather. The 

 dense mist was presently upon us. On looking- 

 behind, to watch its rate of advance, we saw a few 

 flashes of lightning burst from it. The thunder 

 had for some time been growling afar, almost in- 

 cessantly. The moment before the explosion of the 

 storm was as like a dream as a waking state can be. 

 We were walking on wild ground, now ascending^ 

 now descending; a deep tarn (Floutern Tarn) on 

 our right hand, our feet treading on slippery rushes 

 or still more slippery grass ; the air was dark as 

 during an eclipse ; and heavy mists drove past from 

 behind, just at the level of our heads, and sinking 

 every moment ; while before us, and far below 

 us — down as in a different world — lay Butter- 

 mere, and the neighbouring vales, sleeping in the 

 calmest sunshine. The contrast was singular — of 

 that warm picture, with its yellow lights and soft 

 shadows, with the turbulence and chill and gloom 

 of the station from which we viewed it. We had 

 but a moment to look at it ; for not only did the 

 clouds sink before our eyes, but the wind scudded 

 round to the opposite point of the compass, throw- 

 ing one after another of us flat as it passed. Within 

 a few minutes one of us had six falls, from the force 

 of the wind and the treachery of the ground, — now 

 in a trice a medley of small streams. It was im- 

 possible to stop the guide for a moment's breath. 



M 



