220 ESCAPE FROM THE GUIDES. ch. ix. 



with a new species of Nasturtium, and others not before 

 seen by us. 



So intent had we been on the surrounding vegeta- 

 tion, that we had scarcely cast a glance at the sky 

 overhead. This had continually assumed a more and 

 more gloomy aspect; and at length, after due notice 

 and preparation, the long-expected rain began, not in a 

 heavy downpour such as often occurs in southern coun- 

 tries, but in that fine steady drizzle which is known 

 to those whom the fates have led to the northern parts of 

 our island as a Scotch mist, hateful to the lover of the 

 picturesque and still more hateful to the botanist. On 

 this occasion, however, it seemed to us no unmixed evil, 

 as it furthered the execution of a stratagem that was 

 already in our minds. Our followers were scantily clad, 

 and felt more than we did the chilly temperature of the 

 day, and of course the rain increased their discomfort. 

 They were, therefore, in the right frame of mind to accept 

 at once the suggestion that they should light a fire within 

 the hut, therein following the example of preceding way- 

 farers. After muttering a few prayers, they proceeded to 

 gather some damp sticks, and presently were busy in the 

 attempt to make a fire out of them. Having continued 

 for a few minutes to loiter about, still gathering plants 

 near the hut, until the men appeared to be fully engrossed 

 in their occupation, we started together to ascend the track 

 leading to the summit ridge of the Atlas. 



We had reached the Saint's tomb about 9 a.m., and 

 found its height above the sea-level to be 7,852 feet 

 (2,393-2 m.). Little more than half-an-hour had since 

 elapsed, so that, if no unexpected difficulty occurred, there 

 was ample time to reach the summit of the pass which, 

 as we thought, could scarcely be 3,000 feet above us. A 

 number of interesting plants soon rewarded our adventure, 

 and delayed us for a while on the rocky banks of the tor- 

 rent near the bottom of the ravine, but out of view of the 

 Saint's tomb. On joining the track, we found it a well- 



