Page:Younghusband - Kashmir.pdf/48

 20 SCENERY AND SEASONS

feet, was at first quite clear and lighted by fhe sun. Then a mist drifted towards it, and rapidly, but by almost imperceptible increase, the cloud enveloped it. Light misty clouds swirled about the mountain as currents and counter-currents seized them. They would form and disperse, first enshroud then reveal the high peaks. Now they in great part cleared away, and Mahadeo was seen peering through the clouds, bold and super- naturally high. Then the peak and all the mountain-sides were enveloped in dark heavy clouds, rain fell, and there seemed every prospect of a wet and gloomy day. But all unexpectedly rifts again appeared, and Mahadeo was once more seen rising composedly above the clouds, the young green foliage standing out distinct and bright, and each rock sharp and well defined. And so, hour after hour, the struggle between cloud and sunshine, between good ‘and evil, con- tinued, it being impossible to tell at any moment which was more likely to prevail. The clouds seemed settling down, then a glint of sunshine was seen high on some upland lighting the fresh green grass and some stray shepherd hut, and again there seemed hope. Finally wet prevailed, and the mist settled lower and lower on the valley, the