JOURNEY. ' 191 



this optical deception is often experienced 

 by travellers in mountainous countries, who, 

 anxious to reach some particular spot with 

 daylight, consider themselves almost on the 

 threshold of the place they would arrive at ; 

 but as the day advances, the object of their 

 wishes gradually recedes from their view, 

 and many a tedious hour is passed ere the 

 weary traveller obtains the fulfilment of his 

 wishes. 



We called for the muleteer, but he was 

 not forthcoming, nor did he make his ap- 

 pearance before seven o'clock, and then 

 intoxicated. With the aid of some other 

 peons, our mules were loaded, and we com- 

 menced our journey through a most inte- 

 resting and mountainous country. We had 

 to travel along a number of ridges, descend^ 

 ing and rising alternately, always attend- 

 ed with most luxuriant vegetation, and we 

 enjoyed views of the most romantic glens 



