صفحة 165 من 483

I determined to go without a guide, for I was well acquainted

with the path, and the presence of another would destroy the

solitary grandeur of the scene.

The ascent is precipitous, but the path is cut into continual and

short windings, which enable you to surmount the perpendicularity

of the mountain. It is a scene terrifically desolate. In a

thousand spots the traces of the winter avalanche may be

perceived, where trees lie broken and strewed on the ground, some

entirely destroyed, others bent, leaning upon the jutting rocks

of the mountain or transversely upon other trees. The path, as

you ascend higher, is intersected by ravines of snow, down which

stones continually roll from above; one of them is particularly

dangerous, as the slightest sound, such as even speaking in a

loud voice, produces a concussion of air sufficient to draw

destruction upon the head of the speaker. The pines are not tall

or luxuriant, but they are sombre and add an air of severity to

the scene.