Niagara Falls 



1865 of rock, now overhanging Us, and garnished with rows of giant 

 u,,e teeth-like icicles. 



After a slow cautious advance along this doubtful path, we 

 perceived that the thin edge of the cataract towards which we 

 were advancing shot out from the rock, and left a space between 

 its inner surface and a black shining wail which it was quite 

 possible to enter. There was no wind, the day was dull and 

 raw, but the downright rush of the water created a whirling 

 current of air close to it which almost whisked away the breath; 

 and a vapour of snow, fine sleet, and watery particles careered 

 round the entrance to the recess, which no water kelpie would be 

 venturesome or lonesome enough to select, except in the height 

 of the season. 



On we thus went, more and more slowly and cautiously, over 

 the polished ice and rock, till at last we had fairly got behind 

 the cataract, and enjoyed the pleasure of seeing the solid wall 

 of water falling, falling, falling, with the grand monotony of 

 eternity, so nigh that one fancied he could almost touch it with 

 his hand. When last I was here, it was possible to have got as 

 far as a ledge called Termination Rock ; but the ice had accumu- 

 lated to such an extent that the guide declared the attempt to 

 do so would be impracticable or dangerous, and indeed where 

 we stood was not particularly safe at the moment. As I was 

 in the cave, gazing at the downpoured ruin of waters with a 

 sense of security as great as that of a trout in a mill-race, an 

 icicle from the cliff above cracked on the rocks outside, and 

 threw its fragments inside the passage. I own the desire I had 

 to get on still further and pierce in behind the cataract, where 

 its volume was denser, was greater than the gratification I derived 

 from getting so far. But we had reached our ultima thule, and, 

 with many a lingering look, retraced our steps — now and then 

 halting to contend the better with the gusts from the falls, which 

 threaten to sweep one from the ledge. If the foot once slipped, I 

 cannot conceive a death more rapid : life would die out with the 

 thought, " I am in the abyss! " ere a cry could escape. 



324 



