dream. It is, however, probable that, had it not been for the hideous vision that shook my nerves free of paralysing torpor, I should never have awakened from that spell-bound silence.
I sat up with difficulty, and by beating and rubbing them, slowly regained the use of my lower limbs. I roused the Rongba, rubbed him, and shook him till he was able to move. We began our descent.
No doubt the satisfaction of going up high mountains is very great; but can it be compared to that of coming down?
Descending was dangerous but not wearisome. The incline being extremely steep, we took gigantic strides on the snow, and when we came to patches of débris, we slid ten or fifteen feet each step amidst a deafening roar from the huge mass of loose stones set in motion by our descent.
"I Roused the Rongba"
"Hark!" I said to the Rongba, "what is that?"
We waited till all was silence, and with hands up to our ears listened attentively. It was still snowing.