206 The Naturalist of Cumbrae. 



would have to walk the rest of the way, as no horse 

 could scale the rock, or, if he could, no one could sit 

 on his back when he was doing so. 



"The guide (a boy) was leading the pony by a rope 

 over his shoulder, a considerable distance in front. I 

 was eagerly watching what was to be done when the 

 boy came to the rock. When he did so, without 

 looking behind him he began scrambling up over it. 

 I had only time to exclaim, Gracious ! before the 

 pony, without the least hesitation, began to scramble 

 up in the same way. 



" It was my turn next. I thought of leaping off, but 

 before I had time to make up my mind my pony had 

 commenced the ascent in the most professional 

 manner, as his brother had done. 



" This over, there were no other difficulties in the 

 way. 



" It happened just at the time that we had reached 

 the King's Stance the sun shone out brightly. The 

 place commanded a delightful view of the surrounding 

 country. We had now accomplished our task so far. 

 If we had not seen the sunrise from the top of the 

 mountain, we had seen a magnificent panorama of the 

 country. We now retraced our steps. I had my 

 fresh-water net with me, and had a haul or two in 

 some of the stagnant pools for ostracoda, which are 

 still in my collection as a souvenir of our visit to- 

 Kongsberg. 



" When we reached the ' Rest,' where we had left 

 so many cooking, we were greatly cheered, I suppose 

 because we had first accomplished the ascent that 

 morning. Other parties at once went off to do the 



