in THE VAUGACULLEN 53 



perfect characteristics of the mountain ; it seems sur- 

 rounded with them ; in fact, it is like a huge sugar-loaf, 

 with all the sides separated from the loaf by a sharp 

 knife and left standing. I suppose these curious rocks 

 in the mountain were formed long ago, when all the 

 Lofodens, as well as Norway, were locked in ice. Be 

 that as it may, they were regular stoppers to me, not 

 that, I think, even if the cleft were not there that side 

 would be practicable, made up as it is of sheer smooth 

 precipices standing as it were one on the other. 

 These observations did not take me long to make ; the 

 next I found a good deal more puzzling that was how 

 to get down from where I was, and when down what 

 line I should take ; to go back the same way I 

 came I knew to be impracticable, so before taking, any 

 further trouble about the mountain, I set to work to 

 try and make out a line by which I might return to 

 the boat. All I could see was that the wild valley 

 into which I was looking was hemmed, like the one I 

 had left, with perpendicular precipices ; one small gap 

 I saw was my only outlet ; the ascent to this in one or 

 two places was very steep, but practicable ; how the 

 other side might be I did not know, but I would have 

 to take my chance for that ; as to the Vaugan, I could 

 see more of that below. Below ! how in the world was 

 I to get there ? The west side of the ridge was if any- 

 thing more perpendicular, certainly more destitute of any- 

 thing to hold on by, than the side I had come up ; but 

 it had one great advantage, namely, that of being not so 

 high ; this was of the greatest consequence for this one 

 reason the length of time it would take. What I was 

 most afraid of was exhaustion ; if I got tired of holding 

 on I was done for ; this I should certainly have done 

 had I attempted the old side, supposing the descent 

 practicable, which I don't think it was. The new side 



