Burnside. 89 



peaks; and far beyond the farthest summit, extending like a 

 golden line along the horizon, is the Atlantic Ocean. 



But again a chilly feeling creeps over us ; the beautiful 

 panorama is blotted out, the sun disappears, the brilliant 

 scene is gone, and we are alone, utterly alone, upon the 

 mountain. Soon, however, the cloud of mist passes, and we 

 are once more standing in the warm sunshine, whilst the 

 mist rolls beneath and reflects the brilliant light, until at 

 last it thins out and disappears, leaving not a wrack behind. 

 Very fine indeed is this new experience ; but we have been 

 here long enough, it is time to begin our homeward journey. 



Having skirted the western and northern, and climbed the 

 eastern ridge of this rocky mass on our ascent, we determine 

 to descend by its south-eastern face. This is steep, and for 

 a short distance rocky; but the rocks soon give way to 

 grass, and as the ground on this side is as yet firm and 

 solid, our descent is rapid. But this rapid descent is not an 

 xinmixed blessing, for occasionally a little rill extends itself 

 upon the rocky surface, and before a stoppage can be effected 

 on the border of a piece of treacherous bog the oozing water 

 has come over our boots. A narrow streamlet, with icy cold 

 water rapidly running over the steep descent, has to be 

 crossed, and immense blocks of rocks, some of which must 

 weigh many tons, begin to encumber the ground. We look 

 around. Yes, there can be no doubt that they have fallen 

 from the rocky precipices near the summit ; but that must 

 have been a long time ago, for we observe that they have 

 undergone a considerable amount of weathering. On one of' 

 these blocks we stand, and about five hundred feet below see 

 a burn, shining like a narrow belt of silver in the sunlight, 

 whilst its banks a short way down are clothed with little 

 trees. 



