Page:"Round the world." - Letters from Japan, China, India, and Egypt (IA roundworldletter00fogg 0).pdf/233

 loitered on the way, frequently turning in our saddles to gaze at the beautifal pictures spread out on the plain below, for aa we rlse higher and higher we can trace the road over which we passed, all the way to Deyra. Bub a sadden clouding in of the sun and Tumbling of thunder over our heads admon- ished usthata slorm was coming down the mountain to meet 3, A pattering of rain- drops anda chilly blast of wind made the Coolies drop the curtains of the Jampans; but we ou horasback had no euch protection from the rain that now came pouring down in torrents, We were resrcety half way up the mountain, and halting fora moment under the protection of s cliff, we held a “council of war,” in which it was dectded that I should push ahead and secure quar- ters for the party, es the prospect of a severe storm was now imminent. I gavemy pony the rattan freely and dashed ahead ap tha winding path.

The higher I saeended the fiereer and colder grew the blast, until the rain turned to sleet and seemed to penotrate to the bone. My poor nag could hardiy be worried aut ofa walk, and my wet clothes yere fast bo- ing covered over with a coat of sleety ma3i. New I bitterly repented parting with my over-coat, on Which the Coolia was prob- ably snoozing comfortably, having crowded into some dry hole inthe cliif. Tarovgh the driving milat and sleet, the town of Mus- soorle cauld be plainly seen, and I thought every curve of the road would certainly bring me to the summit, But fentelus like itgeemedl to recede as I climbed upwards. f fear my jaded poney thought I was acrue! Tider, as [ plied my rattan and dug my heels into his sides in the yaia attempt to force him into a trot.

Despite the desperate situation, wet to the skin and chilled to the marrow, I halted fora moment under a projecting cliff, im- pressed with the novelty and snbvlimity of thea seone, Laoking back, I could see the aun shining serenely on the nlain below, while half way np tho mountain was a pouring shower, whisk at my elevation was turned to driving skect. Over my head and

—“Far along, From pésk to paak, the rattling crags among, Leaped the live thauger—not in one lons clead, Buvevery mounisin now had found a tongue.”

But a shorttime could be given to the poetry of the situation, unless L was willing to realize the fsto of that unfortunate “sgonth who bore ’mid snow and ica a ban-