x.] ALPINE TRAVELS, 1850. 339 



than last spring, when they had thundered down with the 

 early thaw, from the upper level of the little glaciers. 

 At present, however, there was no danger, and we 

 paused awhile for breath. 



' We were now at a great height above the glacier of 

 na, not only on account of the ascent which we had 

 made, but also from the steep fall of the glacier in a con- 

 trary direction. Having passed the summit of the knoll 

 which had formed the great obstacle, we were now to 

 seek a safe descent to the main glacier once more. This 

 would have been, in all probability, a matter of small 

 difficulty, had not the fogs which all day had been 

 hovering on the summits, suddenly descended at 5 P.M., 

 and enveloped us almost without warning. Our position 

 not free from anxiety, for it was impossible to see 

 more than thirty or forty yards in any direction. Charlet 

 continued to advance until we found a small steep glacier 

 in front of us, descending from the heights above, and 

 completely barring passage in a forward direction. We 

 tin -n attempted to descend the rocky ridge upon which 

 found ourselves, which fell steeply towards the main 

 but a moderate distance brought us to imprac- 

 tieabli- precipices. In these circumstances, only two 

 :ained open, either to wait for the rising of the 

 or to descend from the rock upon the moraine ai d 

 rubbish which bordered the small glacier, and tlun 

 npt to scramble down it. We followed the latter 

 :', and our descent was facilitated by long snow 

 inclines, over which we slid rapidly ; whilst so engaged, 

 til-- IM-IT happily cleared for a few minutes, revealing our 

 ion, and giving us an opportunity of resolv- 

 on our ultimate route, for we knew that sooner or 

 ; we must cross the main ^lacier. Fortunately we 

 cted what appeared to be the only practicable 

 ( >n the one side of us was an impassable 

 glacier, on the other impassable dills. Having mad*' 

 descent, we diYrrLfd t<> the i-i'jlit, 

 I -at- di-tance) under the termination of the 

 and soon after d the level of I he 



