242 
LETTERS FROM 
commencement of which to the summit is 
said to be about seven miles more. But we 
had not penetrated the Bosco more than two 
miles, when the snow began to fall thickly 
around us; and as in this state of the at¬ 
mosphere the view of the surrounding coun¬ 
try would have been entirely obscured, by the 
advice of Abbate we determined on return¬ 
ing. Though we had provided ourselves 
with warm clothing, some of us were so 
benumbed bv the cold, that we were obliged 
to dismount and walk, in order to restore 
sensation to our frozen limbs. The fear of 
a fall was another very sufficient reason for 
dismounting, for the path was exceedingly 
steep and rugged, and the snow made it 
still more dangerous. Some of our party, 
however, had full confidence in the sure feet 
and sagacity of their mules, and rode down 
in safety. 
