JOURNEY TO KREISEVIG. 
193 
it was necessary for us to descend a few yards, 
after which, turning to the left, we had to go 
along a track so narrow, that there was only 
just room for our horses to set one foot before 
another, on account of the steepness of the as¬ 
cent on one side, and the suddenness of the 
descent on the other; till, on reaching the op¬ 
posite extremity of the place, we again ascended 
to the top, and once more continued our journey 
up the steep sides of this rocky mountain. In 
many places for a considerable extent the hill 
had nearly a level surface, upon which were scat¬ 
tered at various distances insulated pieces of 
rock of immense size, and of the rudest figures, 
some of them having sharp and apparently vi¬ 
trified summits, whilst others were rounded off 
on every side, and had probably -rolled into 
their present situation from the higher peaks 
of the mountain. Although the singularity of 
this scenery afforded us no small gratification, 
our own wet condition, (for the rain still con¬ 
tinued unabated,) the excessive cold of these 
more elevated regions, and the great hailstones, 
which a strong easterly wind drove against our 
faces, made us rather wish for the shelter of the 
vallies. On reaching; the highest summit, how- 
ever, we were inclined to forget our uncomfortable 
situation, whilst looking down into the valley 
which surrounds Kreisevig. Our view, indeed, 
o 
