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Show 252 PERSONAL ADVENTURES companions had not, however, proceeded more than t\VO miles before they repented of their rashness ; the path they had followed led down the mountain, and not up it: and as they were c8rtain they must cross the chain, they thought it best to retrace their steps, which they accordingly did, coming up to us almost ex. hausted by the extra exertions their obstinacy had entailed upon them. Wearily, too, did we mount the rugged slopes of those 1nountains, untler a broiling ~:~un, to which we were fully exposed, panting for water, and anxiously seeking for it, and for a few trees under which we might procure an hour's shelter and rest. But sumtnit arose above summit in interminable succession, each appearing impassable, and, in our uncertainty as to our being in the right direction, offering additional obstacles to surmount, without the charm of hope to encourage us to persevere. Our poor horses likewise suffered intensely, and we were in constant fear of their falling do·wn from sheer exhaustion. At length we attained the summit of another acclivity, where /.:..- -.'. . ' ON THE HOAD TO Tf-11': l\1! :--JES. ' |