DISTRICT OF TROAS. 
8'5 
sky without a cloud The mercury noon fell to the freezing 
point, but did not sink lower during the time I remained. As 
I descended, not a trace of my feet could be discerned, and I 
unfortunately passed without noticing the particular part of the 
steep leading to the third point of the mountain, where I had 
gained the height. In this manner I lost my way, and wandered 
about for three hours, over dreadful chasms and icy precipices, 
in a state of painful anxiety ; until at last, overcome with ex¬ 
cessive fatigue, thirst, and cold, I sunk down upon a bleak ridge, 
and moistened my mouth by eating snow. To my great com¬ 
fort, I experienced both refreshment and warmth ; my benumb¬ 
ed fingers recovered their sensation, and I again endeavoured 
to walk. Looking down toward the southwest, I perceived, 
at an immense depth below, the very guide who had deserted* 
me, endeavouring to climb toward the third point of the moun¬ 
tain, but always returning back, and at last giving up the 
attempt. Exerting every effort, I succeeded in making this 
man hear me; he then remained as a mark, directing me to 
|the ridge on which I ascended. When I camci to this horrid 
place, all my resolution forsook me. X could not persuade 
myself I had climbed a steep so terrible; but. presently per¬ 
ceived the holes before made for my feet. Upon this, striking 
■ my heels into the hardened snow, so as to form a stay for my 
support, X sat down, and by slow degrees ventured off the de¬ 
clivity ; sliding sometimes for a yard or two, and then stopping, 
so as not to acquire a greater velocity than X could check, by 
forcing in the staff of my pipef and one of my heels at the same 
time. A slip to the right or left would infallibly have carried 
me over a precipice on either side, the ridge whereon I descend¬ 
ed resembling in its form the roof of a house. The guide was 
now heard bawling to me to steer this way, or that, as lie fan¬ 
cied I inclined too much to one side or to the other, and acting 
as a beacon for my course, until I reached the spot where he 
stood; when, having caught me in his arms, he cried out with 
great joy, “ AIM ! Alla /” There was still much to be done ; 
and this we happily got over. About a mile Sower down we 
found our companions. Having in vain tried to light a fire, 
they w ere all huddled together near the higher boundary of die 
second region of the mountain, waiting in the utmost inquietude. 
Here our fiaggon of brandy was soon emptied; and the guide, 
who had accompanied me, proved that old customs stillpre* 
*"• The Turkish pipe is sometimes fashioned to serve also 
[ then tipped Tritb horn. 
I 
talking staff. It is 
