232 EXTRACTS FROM NOTE-BOOKS. CII. XXXIV. 



an ominous-looking cloud concealed the upper part 

 of the mountain, I went on with all confidence. 



Our object was to reach a certain shoulder of the 

 hill, not far from the summit, from which the snow 

 had drifted when it first fell, leaving a tolerably- 

 sized tract of bare stones, where we expected to find 

 the ptarmigan basking in the bright winter sun. It 

 was certainly hard work, and we felt little of the 

 cold, as we laboured up the steep hill. Persever- 

 ance meets with its reward ; and we did at last 

 reach the desired spot, and almost immediately 

 found a considerable pack of ptarmigan, of which we 

 managed to kill four brace before they finally took 

 their flight round a distant shoulder of the hill where 

 it was impossible to follow them. An eagle dashed 

 down at the flock of birds as they were just going 

 out of our sight, but, as we saw him rise upwards 

 again empty handed, he must have missed his aim. 



By this time it was near mid-day, and the 

 clouds were gathering on the mountain-top, and 

 gradually approaching us. We had taken little 

 note of the weather during our pursuit of the birds, 

 but it was now forced on our attention by a keen 

 blast of wind which suddenly swept along the 

 shoulder of the mountain, here and there lifting up 

 the dry snow in clouds. " We must make our way 

 homewards at once," said . " Deed, ay ! it will 



