Page:McCosh, John - Advice to Officers in India (1856).djvu/281

 and enlarging till the Dhoon is hidden from view. Soon this grand army forms into divisions, each advancing up some of the many ravines, filling every valley, and shrouding every ridge in impenetrable fog. About nine, the leading columns have got to the crests of the mountain, and a grand struggle takes place between the ascending clouds from the south, and the remains of the night wind from the north. Now, as the north wind lulls, the vanguard of a division rolls over the ridge, but as it freshens is driven back again, broken and dispersed over the curling heads of the main body in the centre. About half-past ten the day is generally decided, the south wind prevads, and a whole hemisphere of clouds bursts over the mountains like a deluge, rushes down the opposite valleys, and envelops the highest mountains in gloom. A steady heavy fog continues during the day, so damp, that every hair on one's cheek has its dew-drop. Now and then the sun looks through, the lightning flashes, and the thunder rolls. The windows of heaven are opened,and soon every crevice resounds with the rush of water. Towards sunset the north wind regains the ascendancy", the nimbous clouds are once more beat back to the plains, the lost sun comes out in glorious majesty, illuminating every rock and every ridge with golden light and purple shade, tinting the clouds and the sky in such