FURTHER DISAPPOINTMENT. 191 



to the immense strain produced on the muscles in 

 ascending the steep sides of the mountain, with the 

 snow half a foot, or even in the higher regions nearly 

 a foot, in depth. The process of descending too was 

 almost equally trying, as the foot constantly stumbled 

 against, or slipped from, the stones hidden beneath the 

 snow, which more than once occasioned very awkward 

 falls. 



After two hours of climbing, our perseverance was 

 rewarded, as we came in view of an immense herd, 

 numbering apparently not much fewer than a hundred 

 deer, and spreading over an open field of snow, half a 

 mile or more in extent, but at such an elevation that 

 it was vain, in the present state of things, to think of 

 getting up to them. We could only therefore pause 

 and admire, and then continue our route. Soon we 

 saw another herd, composed almost entirely of stags, 

 of which Gillespie counted not less than forty ; but 

 they were making for the highest passes in the moun- 

 tain, and as our ambition had somewhat dwindled 

 in its aspirations under the chilling influences of the 

 snow, we did not attempt to follow. Now and then, 

 as we pursued our way, we came across a solitary pair, 

 or a small family of deer; but all were on the alert, 

 and not to be approacired. And as we ourselves were 

 visible to a great distance in the snow, we began to 

 despair of uearing anything, and turned our steps to- 

 wards home. 



After some time, as we crossed an open moor not 

 often frequented by them, we discovered a herd of ten 

 .occupied in scraping up the snow with their hoofs, and 

 feeding on the grass and moss which they thus laid 

 bare. The position was apparently very favourable, a 

 large ledge of rock intervening between them and our- 

 selves which would effectually screen our approach. 



