.OTk1.NjQ2NTk

During the evening I frequently thought of the dangerous situation we were in if a snow storm came on during the night it would make our condition desperate there would be no possibility of getting across the yawning chasms and precipices that obstructed our way. Fortunately the night was clear and a full moon was beaming gloriously upon us covering the hills and rocks around us as with a sheet of silver there was a most magnificent view from giddy hight on which we were camped all around us were huge piles of rocks which required the greatest care in ascending or descending in the distance could be seen on every side lofty peaks piercing the very sky covered with snow and then the contrast of the deep dark valley where the moonlight did not penetrate, looking like gloomy dungeons. It was such a sight as I can never forget the isolation of our position, the uncertentity of our getting on to the trail again without having to retrace our steps, for I did not yet consider that we were lost as I thought we could go back again at any time but we would not do so, as we thought by keeping on a west course we must come out on the trail before long. After a couple of hours chatting we rolled up in our blankets and lay down before the fire to get some sleep we had performed a big days journey and felt tired the night was now getting pretty cold and our mule poor fellow having nothing to eat and probably feeling lonesome as well as ourselves came along and stood by the fire we had not a morsil of food or grass for him that night. I lay on my back listening to the musical snoring of my companion who was asleep almost as soon as he lay down. I was musing on sublimity and grandness of the