150 



PASSAGE ACROSS 



near a spring, and having collected wood, and the 

 miners having cooked our supper, we lay down on 

 the ground to sleep. The air was cool and refresh- 

 ing, and the scene really magnificent. 



As I lay on the ground upon my back, the ob- 

 jects around me gradually became obscure, while 

 the sun, vdiich had long ago set to us, still gilded 

 the summits of the highest mountains, and gave 

 a sparkling brightness to the snow which faded 

 with the light of day. The scene underwent a 

 thousand beautiful changes ; but when it was all 

 lost in utter darkness, save the bold outline which 

 rested against the sky, it appeared more beautiful 

 than ever. 



The peon, who was always very active, was up 

 long before day-break, and we were awakened by 

 the bell-mule and the others which were now col- 

 lected. We got up in the dark, and as our party 

 were preparing to start, the group, though in- 

 distinctly seen by the blaze of the fire, was a very 

 odd one. The three miners were eating their 

 l^reakfasts seated on loose stones round a large frag- 

 ment of rock, which served as a table. Their 

 elbows were squared, and they were eagerly bend- 



