12 THE SIKKIM HIMALAYA 



afresh we marvel more. We know for certain that 

 those sharp edges are the summits of mountains 

 iwhose base is on this sohd earth. Yet, hojvever sure 

 we may be of that fact, we do not cease to wonder. 

 And as we gaze upon that line of snowy summits 

 no more — ^indeed, less — intrinsically beautiful than 

 many a cloud, yet unspeakably more significant, we 

 are curiously elated. Something in us leaps to 

 meet the mountains. And we cannot keep our 

 eyes away. We seem lifted up, and feel higher 

 possibilities within ourselves and within the world 

 than we had ever known before. As we travel on- 

 ward we strain to keep the mountains continually in 

 sight, for we cannot bear to leave them. We feel 

 better men for having seen them, and for the re- 

 mainder of our days we would keep them in 

 continuing remembrance. 



As we come closer under the mountains the base 

 emerges from the haze and the line of snowy peaks 

 disappears behind the nearer outer ranges. Then 

 we come to these ranges themselves, which rise 

 with considerable abruptness out of the level 

 plains with very little intermediate modulation of 

 form, and we find them densely clothed in forest — 

 true, rich, luxuriant, tropical forest with all the de- 

 lights of ghstening foliage, graceful ferns and palms, 

 glorious orchids, and brilliant butterflies. 



