92 More Mishaps. 



myself gradually gaining a greater velocity as I de- 

 scended, when, providentially coming to a soft snow 

 drift, I succeeded in driving my alpenstock deep 

 into the snow, thus effectually stopping my rapid 

 and headlong career. Looking round, to my horror 

 I perceived the doctor directly in my wake, coming 

 down at great speed ; if he touched me I felt cer- 

 tain that we must both go, and I shuddered to 

 think of the fate awaiting us. He was, however, 

 like myself, enabled to dig his heels into the snow 

 drift and was thus stopped. Putting the best face 

 on the matter, we laughed heartily at our misad- 

 venture, and pushed on again head to wind. 



Our mishaps were endless. Getting on to a nice 

 firm piece, on which I was in hopes we should make 

 good progress, I hailed my companion to follow, 

 observing that it was " a famous bit for walking on." 

 Hardly were the words out of my mouth before I 

 plunged over head and ears into a drift, the doctor 

 tumbling in after me. Extricating ourselves as 

 best we could, we continued the descent, but for 

 upwards of an hour we were completely lost, until 

 by great good luck we suddenly emerged on the 

 brink of the chasm along which, we had ascended ; 

 and then we knew our troubles were at an end, as 

 from thence we could with ease retrace our steps, 

 ultimately reaching the settlement at about six 

 o'clock ; and hastening on board we were soon en- 

 joying the luxury of a cup of hot tea and a change 

 of clothing. 



