DESCRIPTIVE NARRATIVE OE JOURNEY. 
37 
Towards the north-north-west, the large valley of the Inangahua 
stretched away as far as the eye could reach, whilst on the 
northern side of the Buller low hills were visible between the 
eastern and western rocky chains. 
Towards evening the weather cleared up, and as it became ex¬ 
tremely cold, we lit a fire with the roots and short stems of a few 
Alpine scrubs, it being scarcely possible for me to keep the pencil 
between my fingers. It is difficult to describe the wild scenery 
towards the east, south, and north; peak after peak appeared, 
one towering above the other, and each surpassing the other in 
abruptness and fantastical outline. Towards the north-east was 
visible the break in the two parallel chains through which the 
Grey flows, over which again rose in all its majesty its vast snow- 
fields gilded by the setting sun, Mount Franklin, the parent 
source of all the streams the courses of which I could see; whilst 
towards the south-east lay the three snow-clad giants, Plinlim- 
mon, Helvellyn, and Skiddaw, fully 2,000 feet higher than they 
are noted in the maps. We arrived at our camp at nightfall, and 
although it was very cold, and we had no proper firewood, we 
passed an excellent night. 
Next morning we again ascended the mountain, and I hoped 
to have finished by noon, so that we might return to our camp 
on the side of Deception-hill, but unfortunately the weather had 
not yet cleared, and just at one sj>ot towards the north, where I 
had important bearings to take, clouds obstinately remained, so 
with pencil in hand, chilly and cold, I stood waiting till the 
weather changed. At the time when we should have returned 
the clouds still hung over the mountains, but as the aneroid was 
rising fast, I determined to wait for sunset, when the clouds 
generally disappeared. We had only taken some damper with us 
for a scanty breakfast and dinner, so that we should have to go to 
bed without a meal, but my perseverance was recompensed, as 
towards the close of the evening the clouds rose, and the whole 
chain, in all its details, became visible. The night was so cold that 
we got no sleep, and I could hear my poor companions, who had 
only one blanket each, shivering with the cold. 
In the morning, the water pools round our tent, and the tea in 
the billy, were hard frozen, and we were very soon on our way to 
rejoin our party, in order to warm ourselves and get a breakfast. 
Our road lay over Deception-hill; it was a magnificent morning, 
the sun shone brightly in an unclouded sky, and from the top of 
the mountain I obtained one of the finest views I ever remember 
to have seen. Over the whole low country floated a dense mist, 
giving to it the appearance of a large sea, above which the 
mountain chains rose like islands, so clear and distinct that the 
minutest details of their outlines were visible. 
The highest summit ranges of the Island, commencing at Kai- 
matau, on the southern side of the Taramakau, and running from 
