OF THE OLD WORLD. 231 



Chineah had chosen close to a small mountain- 

 stream that took its source in a cavern on the side 

 of a lofty peak, which stood out in bold relief, and 

 towered high above the rest. Its rugged summit, 

 round which wreaths of white fleecy-looking clouds 

 were floating in a deep blue azure sky, had the 

 reputation of being the most likely ground to meet 

 with ibex, as from its extreme inaccessibility it had 

 rarely been trodden by man, and the game had been 

 but little disturbed. Having taken a cursory survey 

 of the mountain, in order to endeavour to form some 

 judgment as to the best side to commence the ascent 

 on the morrow, we adjourned to the tent, where we 

 found a dinner waiting to which we did ample jus- 

 tice ; and, after making a few preparations, turned 

 in soon after sunset, so as to have a good night's 

 rest previous to the morrow's fag, which we well 

 knew would prove a trying one. 



Rising at dawn we found the cold severe and 

 piercing ; and, on looking out of the tent door, we 

 saw that the whole range of hills was enveloped in 

 mist, a dense white cloud entirely obscuring the 

 summit of the peak we intended to explore. This 

 was not encouraging, to say the least of it ; but to- 

 wards sunrise the vapours began to open and dis- 

 unite, and in the course of an hour portions of clouds 

 separated themselves from the main body and moved 

 slowly and majestically down the mountain, some 

 remaining stationary on its side, whilst others hung 

 suspended over the neighbouring densely-wooded 



