56

THE ASCENT OF THE MATTERHORN.

CHAI’. III.

brilliant than man knows how to depict. See, how—even there—the gentle undulations give shadows within shadows; and how—yet again—where falling stones or ice have left a track, there areshadows upon shadows, each with a light and a dark side, withinfinite gradations of matchless tenderness. Then, note the sun-light as it steals noiselessly along, and reveals countless unsuspectedforms;—tliedelicate ripple-lineswhich mark the concealed crevasse,and the waves of drifted snow; producing each minute more lightsand fresh shadows; sparkling on the edges and glittering on theends of the icicles; shining on the heights and illuminating thedepths, until all is aglow, and the dazzled eye returns for relief tothe sombre crags.

Hardly an hour had passed since we left the Col before wearrived at the “ Chimney.” It proved to be the counterpart of theplace to which reference has been made at p. 3 ; a smooth, straightslab of rock was fixed, at a considerable angle, between two othersequally smooth.* My companion essayed to go up, and, aftercrumpling his long body into many ridiculous positions, he saidthat he would not, for he could not, do it. With some little troubleI got up it unassisted, and then my guide tied himself on to theend of our rope, and I endeavoured to pull him up. But he wasso awkward that he did little for himself, and so heavy that heproved too much for me, and after several attempts he untied him-self, and quietly observed that he should go down. I told him hewas a coward, and he mentioned his opinion of me. I requestedhim to go to Breil, and to say that he had left his “ monsieur ”on the mountain, and he turned to go; whereupon I had to eathumble pie and ask him to come back; for, although it was not verydifficult to go up, and not at all dangerous with a man standingbelow, it was quite another thing to come down, as the lower edgeoverhung in a provoking manner.

The day was perfect; the sun was pouring down grateful

* Mr. Hawkins referred to this place as one of excessive difficulty. He, however,found it coated witli ice; we found it free from ice.