PERILOUS FOOTING. 235 



an accumulation of small particles of rock which 

 had, from time immemorial, shaled from the heights 

 above, and lodged on this slightly projecting shelf. 

 The distance, from the time taken to pass it, I 

 guessed to be not far short of a quarter of a mile. 

 At my foot, literally speaking (for it required but 

 a semiquaver of the body, or the loosening of my 

 hold, to throw the centre of gravitation over the 

 abyss), were spread the valleys of the Drance, 

 through which I could perceive the river meander- 

 ing like a silver thread ; but, from the height at 

 which I looked down, its rapidity was invisible, 

 and its hoarse brawling unheard. The silence was 

 absolute and solemn ; for, fortunately, not a zephyr 

 fanned the air to interfere with my precarious equi- 

 librium. 



" There was no inducement for the lesser birds of 

 the field to warble where we were ; and the lammer 

 geyers and the eagles, if any had their eyries 

 amidst these crags, were revelling in the banquet 

 of desolation below. As I looked upon this awfully 

 magnificent scene, a rapid train of thoughts suc- 

 ceeded each other I felt as if I were contemplating 

 a world I had left, and which I was never again to 

 revisit ; for it was impossible not be keenly im- 

 pressed with the idea that something fatal might 

 occur within the space of the next few minutes, 

 effectually preventing my return thither as a living 



