236 



JOURNEY ACROSS 



We had double the number of horses with us 

 now, because the stage was forty miles. My 

 first fell with me in galloping, and I got on two 

 others successively before I was mounted to my 

 satisfaction. Maclean and the baggage galloped 

 on ahead; whilst the dragoon and the peon 

 remained far behind, driving on the loose herd 

 of horses ; so I was left to perform the stage 

 quite alone, being separated several miles from 

 either party. I had sufficient occupation for my 

 attention, however, to relieve the tedium of a 

 solitary ride ; for notwithstanding my having a 

 stumbling horse to take care of, I could hardly 

 take my eyes off the mountains of snow which 

 were now in full view, sublimely towering above 

 the woody plain before me. 



As I rode along, several foxes stole away from 

 the long grass into the cover. I also saw two 

 dark-coloured hares, at least twice the size of our 



