474 
DESCENT OF THE DAROO. 
same lying thick in the furrows and clefts on our way ; but 
this being the southern face of the mountain, the sun was yet 
too powerful there, to permit any lately fallen on the outer 
surface lower down than the extreme peak, to remain long. 
We were then gaining fast on that white summit, broad, craggy, 
and precipitous ; but which at a distance, had appeared a 
mere point amidst the clouds, only distinguishable, at times, 
from their fleecy forms by its stationary situation. After a 
hard toil of two hours, we reached the top, and halting to take 
breath amongst the snow, met a thorough salutation from the 
north, in the shape of one of its most cutting winds. Here I 
took leave of my generous host, who had not only put himself 
to the trouble of this hazardous ascent, but committed his son to 
all the chances of surprise from the neighbouring hostile regions, 
in order to shew hospitality to a stranger. Having duly ex¬ 
pressed my sense of this kindness, we parted, more like old 
friends than the acquaintance of a day, and turned our faces to 
our respective descents. 
The chilling hand of winter was on every object before me ; 
and ice and snow spreading over the whole mountain-side, co¬ 
vered the path we were to go to a depth of several feet; but we 
had those with us accustomed to explore untrodden ways, and 
they led us on without hesitation, or one false step. This brow 
of the Daroo was by no means so steep as the opposite side, and 
the road gradually wound down into a serpentine glen, amongst 
the thousand rocky projections which embattle the upper regions 
of this stupendous mountain. In proportion to our descent, these 
craggy buttresses expanded into rocky hills, throwing out count¬ 
less ramifications, and mingling their sloping bases with those 
of the answering chains. After a long ride amongst these bold 
and savage valleys, we gained something of a more level path, 
