NULLAHS. 
15 
that if the whole attention and strength of the tra- 
veller were not employed, they would hear him off his 
legs, and, once swept from his footing, there would 
be scarcely a chance of saving him, for he would 
be hurried over a number of low but dangerous falls 
and dashed against the rocks beneath. The beds of 
these nullahs are very irregular, and, though nar- 
row, are generally deep, while the number of smooth 
stones which have accumulated in them render the 
footing so slippery as to require great circumspection 
in order to secure a safe transit. One of our followers 
was struck down by the impetuosity of the waters, 
and was only saved by catching hold of the branch of 
a tree that had fortunately fallen across the stream. 
The roar of the torrents when .swollen by the rains is 
so loud, that you can scarcely hear your own voice in 
their vicinity, and, multiplied as it is by the reper- 
cussion of the surrounding hills, it produces an un- 
intermitting confusion of sounds as disagreeable as 
they are stunning. Our ascent was at times so pain- 
fully laborious that we scarcely advanced more than 
half a mile in an hour. We pursued our journey in 
silence and in weariness — there was not a smile upon 
a single countenance ; on the contrary, the features 
of every one bore an expression of deep solemnity. 
It is surprising with what an imperturbable gravity 
the traveller generally pursues his alpine journey ; he 
is affected by far different feelings when scaling pre- 
cipices, than when he is quietly traversing the plains 
As he climbs those mighty steeps which appear as 
if they were the pillars of the world he dwells in, the 
deepest emotions are awakened ; there is an awe in- 
