slope, where it would leap over a precipice into 

 the woods. I was on the very upper edge of the 

 snow that had started, and this was the tail-end 

 of the slide. I tried to stand up in the rushing 

 snow, but its speed knocked my feet from under 

 me, and in an instant I was rolled beneath the 

 surface. Beneath the snow, I went tumbling on 

 with it for what seemed like a long time, but I 

 know, of course, that it was for only a second or 

 two ; then my feet struck against something solid. 

 I was instantly flung to the surface again, where 

 I either was spilled off, or else fell through, the 

 end of the slide, and came to a stop on the 

 scraped and frozen ground, out of the grasp of 

 the terrible snow. 



I leaped to my feet and saw the slide sweep on 

 in most impressive magnificence. At the front 

 end of the slide the snow piled higher and higher, 

 while following in its wake were splendid stream- 

 ers and scrolls of snow-dust. I lost no time in 

 getting to the top, and set off southward, where, 

 after six miles, I should come to the trail that led 

 to my starting-place on the east side of the range. 

 After I had made about three miles, the cold 



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