CH. XXXIV. SNOW-STORM. 237 



ceased, allowing us to see our exact position ; indeed 

 we were very nearly opposite the house, and within 

 half a mile of it. The river had to be crossed, and 

 it was impossible to find the stepping-stones : but 

 no time was to be lost, as a fresh drift began to 

 appear to windward ; so in we went, and dashed 

 through the stream, which was not much above 

 knee -deep, excepting in certain spots, which we 

 contrived to avoid. The poor dog was most un- 

 willing at first to rise from his resting-place, but 

 followed us well when once up. 



We soon made our way to the house, and got 

 there just as another storm came on, which lasted 

 till after dark, and through which, in our tired state, 

 we never could have made our way. Donald and 

 the shepherd's family were in a state of great anxiety 

 about us, knowing that there would have been no 

 possible means of affording us assistance had we 

 been bewildered or wearied out upon the moun- 

 tain. The shepherd himself was fairly knocked 

 up, and could scarcely be prevailed upon to take 

 either food or drink, or even to put off his frozen 

 clothes, before flinging himself on his bed. For 

 my own part I soon became as comfortable as pos- 

 sible, and slept as soundly and dreamlessly as such 

 exercise only can make one do. I must candidly 

 confess, however, that I made an inward vow 



