INURED TO PAIN. 61 



knew something of the worst side of hunting 

 mountain game. 



A long tramp down the gentle slope of 

 the glacier brought us to a point where the 

 comparatively good going on the ice was 

 changed for a steeper descent amongst big 

 boulders and rocks which filled up the channel 

 worn by the glacier and its streams down to 

 the valley below. 



As it was quite dark now, every step was 

 taken at hazard, and about every sixth step 

 brought a little toe in collision with a sharp - 

 edged rock, twisted an ankle more or less, or 

 sent the whole man on his face. But though 

 one-half the least of the raps dealt our shins, 

 knee caps, or funny bones would have elicited 

 some very nervous English or Svan at 

 another time, we were now so savage and 

 inured to pain that we took our punishment 

 in silence. 



By-and-bye a light gleamed from amongst 



