Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. I.djvu/331

Rh and yet advancing downwards, on a slope of from two to three leagues! Sometimes a witch loses her head, which, set at liberty by the sun, is precipitated into the depths below, and one hears it roaring down, like the sound of subterranean thunder.

My lively young friend was delighted with the strange scene. As for myself, with the impression of the excursion into this region of witchcraft fresh upon me, I felt, spite of the irresistibly comic character of the scene, grave and almost depressed in spirit. We partook of a poor, little, but expensive dinner, at “The Hat,” whilst we contemplated the witch-stream.

When, after this journey of eight hours, which I had made on foot, we returned to Chamouni, I felt myself “knocked up,” both soul and body; but I and my young friend took each a warm bath, drank a cup of refreshing tea, and went to bed, and instead of a restless night with dreams about witches and abysses, I had pleasant dreams, and in my waking intervals, clear, good thoughts; felt the witchcraft leave my limbs, and fresh vigor infused—delightful!

Afterwards I found these words in my “Bradshaw,” with regard to the journey across the Mer de Glace, and to the Chapeau, “This journey is so hazardous, that we will not advise any one to undertake it.” And I seriously would dissuade one and all from it, who may have weak knees, and an old heavy-footed guide, and a dear young friend, whether male or female, in company, and also, one and all, who may have the least inclination to dizziness.

But one and all may have entire pleasure in a