TERRIFIC DESCENT. 



155 



me^ so 1 waited to see how my companion would 

 manage. He approached the brink, and working 

 a hole first to rest his heel in. thrust his stick 

 half way in the snow, so that it might support 

 him to lower himself down a little, and then dig 

 another hole. In this manner he went down the 

 very steepest part, and then let go, and slid the 

 rest in a sitting posture. Now came my turn : 

 I commenced with the plan of my companion, 

 but finding it so very steep, and not liking the 

 hanging posture by one arm, I acted more se- 

 curely, but was much longer about it; first 

 working a hole with my stick, and putting my 

 heel in it ; then working another hole, and putting 

 the other heel in, thus seeing my way clearly be- 

 fore me ; and having a footing of both feet at a 

 time in a sitting posture, while I worked myself 

 steps with my stick, till I passed the steepest 

 part : then I let go, laying flat on my back, 

 and went down with amazing velocity, a dis- 

 tance of five hundred feet. Coming down this 

 place occupied me nearly two hours ; but, I would 



