THE COUNTRY 7 



your own, not knowing, if you are a stranger to 

 the fell, which way to turn. 



However well you think you know every foot 

 of the ground, it is surprisingly easy to lose direc- 

 tion, and unless a lucky chance places you in touch 

 with hounds again it is wise to get below the 

 mist and discover your whereabouts. As a rule, 

 however, if you are on ground you have often 

 visited before, you will recognise landmarks such 

 as peat hags, cairns, watercourses, etc., which 

 will give you the lie of the land and enable you to 

 go ahead. 



Occasionally the fells are what is locally known 

 as " top clear." At such a time you cUmb steadily 

 upwards to find yourself at last clear of the cHnging 

 grey vapour, and beneath you lies an apparently 

 endless sea of white, stretching into the far distance. 

 Out of this ocean of mist rises peak after peak of 

 the mountain ranges, looking Hke islands dotted 

 in every direction. If the sun is shining at the 

 time, the glorious panorama will well repay you 

 for your strenuous climb. 



Most people have heard of the " Spectre of the 

 Brocken " ; well, I have seen exactly the same 

 thing from the summit of Red Screes, which over- 

 looks the top of the Kirkstone Pass. 



I was standing on the summit of this mountain 

 one winter's morning, whilst hounds were working 

 out the drag of their fox on the breast far below. 



