WEATHER-BOARDED HUT. 101 



As we advanced on our journey, by the con- 

 tinued gradual ascent, the cold increased; even the 

 shrubs had a stunted and miserable appearance, 

 which gave a desolate aspect to the country about 

 us, indicating a great difference of climate in this' 

 spot in comparison with the lower part of the 

 range from whence we had departed only a few 

 hours before. The sun-set brought a still keener 

 air, and with joy we hailed the bridge and ha- 

 bitations of a station called the " Weather- 

 boarded Hut," our place of rest for the night, 

 and a termination to our journey of thirty-six 

 miles this day. On hearing the tramping of 

 our horses, the door of a neat little inn (which 

 now supplied the place of a rude bark hut) was 

 opened for the travellers, and a blazing fire 

 cheered us by its appearance in this desolate- 

 looking spot. 



It was not long before we were happy to find 

 ourselves seated in the warm room, and busy 

 preparations making for our supper, for which 

 we were prepared, as we found that " the keen 

 air is a marvellous provoker of appetites;" and 

 as, when seated snugly within this dwelling, we 

 heard the cold wintry blast, which in this ele- 

 vated region is felt through the greater part of 

 the year, passing in gusts, we congratulated our- 

 selves on the contrast we experienced in our 



