ASCENDING THE PASS. 115 



yet we dare not remonstrate, for if we did not klip, the 

 wagon as likely as not would go over the ledge, and 

 halt in fragments. 



Grade after grade, the hill increased in steepness, 

 and often the oxen were compelled to stop every twenty 

 or thirty yards. The drivers certainly did their work, 

 and did not spare themselves ; and the heavy breathing 

 of the cattle showed that their task was no easy one. 



Although our stoppages were most numerous, still 

 we crawled on truly step hy step still forward ; so if 

 we met nothing more formidable, in time we would 

 reach the top. We were in luck, too, as far as the 

 weather was concerned, for a more lovely night could 

 not have been made to order ; only one improvement 

 could I have suggested namely, that the temperature 

 had been a little higher. Still, perhaps this slight fault 

 gave one more enjoyment in the use of his tobacco, and 

 more gusto in the flavour of his grog. Both of these 

 commodities I enjoyed immensely in ascending Van 

 Kenan's Pass ; my friend, who is always very ab- 

 stemious, I think on this occasion did likewise : and 

 conveniently there ran along the mountain side of 

 the track the prettiest little purling brook of sweet 

 water that ever grouse-shooter or gillie selected, as an 

 inducement to make a locality become their noonday 

 resting-place. 



But while digressing, we have come to a terrible 

 grip : the gun-like reports of the whips crack ! crack ! 

 crack ! incessantly, like the irregular fire of a com- 

 pany skirmishing ; and I had just remarked, " That's 

 hot, Morris!" when that most objectionable nay, 

 abominated shout of "Klip!" struck on our ears. I 

 did my best to be quick, and in consequence got a 

 i 2 



