396 SHORT STALKS 



condition. The only -place in sight was a moraine some 

 way down the ghicier, on its opposite bank, if we could 

 get there in time. 



After three more hours on the rocks, we got down to 

 the level ice-stream, with a short half hour of davlioht 

 left to make the 1)est we could of, and we did make the 

 best of it. We started off at a round trot, and kept it up 

 as long as the nature of the glacier permitted ; and even 

 when it didn't, the pace was not slackened, for we made 

 up our minds at all hazards not to improve on our night 

 on the rocks of the Bionnassay, liy spending this one on 

 the open glacier. Once, we were nearly floored l)y a long 

 bio- split at rioht anoies to our course. It seemed rather 

 broad for a jump, l)ut time pressed, and no otlier means 

 of escape except a long detour presenting itself, there was no 

 help for it. There was barely rope enough between us, but 

 as each man jumped, the next on the line followed as 

 near as he dared to the edge, to allow as much tether as pos- 

 sible, while he himself was held up by those behind. The 

 rope was severely strained at each successive leap, and one or 

 two of us were nearly jerked ofl" our legs into the abyss. 

 Only poor Cachat, who was last, had no one to restrain 

 him from behind, and was obliged to spread liimself flat 

 on the ice and anchor his arm in a hole to avoid this 

 catastrophe. Tliis was the last obstacle, and throwing 

 off the rope, we strolled across a level slope of ice which 

 separated us from the moraine, congratulating ourselves 

 on the superior nature of our accommodation. One big 

 ruck had attracted our attention whun yet a great way 

 off, and to our deliglit we found it partly hollow under- 

 neath. Here we estaldished ourselves, after pulling out 



