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as I thought I could carry； and also some tobacco； tea； and a few
matches。 I rolled all these things （together with a flask nearly
full of brandy； which I had kept in my pocket for fear lest Chowbok
should get hold of it） inside my blankets； and strapped them very
tightly； making the whole into a long roll of some seven feet in
length and six inches in diameter。 Then I tied the two ends
together； and put the whole round my neck and over one shoulder。
This is the easiest way of carrying a heavy swag； for one can rest
one's self by shifting the burden from one shoulder to the other。
I strapped my pannikin and a small axe about my waist； and thus
equipped began to ascend the valley； angry at having been misled by
Chowbok； but determined not to return till I was compelled to do
so。
I crossed and recrossed the stream several times without
difficulty； for there were many good fords。 At one o'clock I was
at the foot of the saddle； for four hours I mounted； the last two
on the snow； where the going was easier； by five； I was within ten
minutes of the top； in a state of excitement greater； I think； than
I had ever known before。 Ten minutes more； and the cold air from
the other side came rushing upon me。
A glance。 I was NOT on the main range。
Another glance。 There was an awful river； muddy and horribly
angry； roaring over an immense riverbed； thousands of feet below
me。
It went round to the westward； and I could see no farther up the
valley； save that there were enormous glaciers which must extend
round the source of the river； and from which it must spring。
Another glance； and then I remained motionless。
There was an easy pass in the mountains directly opposite to me；
through which I caught a glimpse of an immeasurable extent of blue
and distant plains。
Easy？ Yes； perfectly easy； grassed nearly to the summit； which
was； as it were； an open path between two glaciers； from which an
inconsiderable stream came tumbling down over rough but very
possible hillsides； till it got down to the level of the great
river； and formed a flat where there was grass and a small bush of
stunted timber。
Almost before I could believe my eyes； a cloud had come up from the
valley on the other side； and the plains were hidden。 What
wonderful luck was mine！ Had I arrived five minutes later； the
cloud would have been over the pass； and I should not have known of
its existence。 Now that the cloud was there； I began to doubt my
memory； and to be uncertain whether it had been more than a blue
line of distant vapour that had filled up the opening。 I could
only be certain of this much； namely； that the river in the valley
below must be the one next to the northward of that which flowed
past my master's station； of this there could be no doubt。 Could
I； however； imagine that my luck should have led me up a wrong
river in search of a pass； and yet brought me to the spot where I
could detect the one weak place in the fortifications of a more
northern basin？ This was too improbable。 But even as I doubted
there came a rent in the cloud opposite； and a second time I saw
blue lines of heaving downs； growing gradually fainter； and
retiring into a far space of plain。 It was substantial； there had
been no mistake whatsoever。 I had hardly made myself perfectly
sure of this； ere the rent in the clouds joined up again and I
could see nothing more。
What； then； should I do？ The night would be upon me shortly； and I
was already chilled with standing still after the exertion of
climbing。 To stay where I was would be impossible； I must either
go backwards or forwards。 I found a rock which gave me shelter
from the evening wind； and took a good pull at the brandy flask；
which immediately warmed and encouraged me。
I asked myself； Could I descend upon the river…bed beneath me？ It
was impossible to say what precipices might prevent my doing so。
If I were on the river…bed； dare I cross the river？ I am an
excellent swimmer； yet； once in that frightful rush of waters； I
should be hurled whithersoever it willed； absolutely powerless。
Moreover； there was my swag； I should perish of cold and hunger if
I left it； but I should certainly be drowned if I attempted to
carry it across the river。 These were serious considerations； but
the hope of finding an immense tract of available sheep country
（which I was determined that I would monopolise as far as I
possibly could） sufficed to outweigh them； and； in a few minutes； I
felt resolved that； having made so important a discovery as a pass
into a country which was probably as valuable as that on our own
side of the ranges； I would follow it up and ascertain its value；
even though I should pay the penalty of failure with life itself。
The more I thought； the more determined I became either to win fame
and perhaps fortune； by entering upon this unknown world； or give
up life in the attempt。 In fact； I felt that life would be no
longer valuable if I were to have seen so great a prize and refused
to grasp at the possible profits therefrom。
I had still an hour of good daylight during which I might begin my
descent on to some suitable camping…ground； but there was not a
moment to be lost。 At first I got along rapidly； for I was on the
snow； and sank into it enough to save me from falling； though I
went forward straight down the mountain side as fast as I could；
but there was less snow on this side than on the other； and I had
soon done with it； getting on to a coomb of dangerous and very
stony ground； where a slip might have given me a disastrous fall。
But I was careful with all my speed； and got safely to the bottom；
where there were patches of coarse grass； and an attempt here and
there at brushwood： what was below this I could not see。 I
advanced a few hundred yards farther； and found that I was on the
brink of a frightful precipice； which no one in his senses would
attempt descending。 I bethought me； however； to try the creek
which drained the coomb； and see whether it might not have made
itself a smoother way。 In a few minutes I found myself at the
upper end of a chasm in the rocks； something like Twll Dhu； only on
a greatly larger scale； the creek had found its way into it； and
had worn a deep channel through a material which appeared softer
than that upon the other side of the mountain。 I believe it must
have been a different geological formation； though I regret to say
that I cannot tell what it was。
I looked at this rift in great doubt； then I went a little way on
either side of it； and found myself looking over the edge of
horrible precipices on to the river； which roared some four or five
thousand feet below me。 I dared not think of getting down at all；
unless I committed myself to the rift； of which I was hopeful when
I reflected that the rock was soft； and that the water might have
worn its channel tolerably evenly through the whole extent。 The
darkness was increasing with every minute； but I should have
twilight for another half…hour； so I went into the chasm （though by
no means without fear）； and resolved to return and camp； and try
some other path next day； should I come to any serious difficulty。
In about five minutes I had completely lost my head； the side of
the rift became hundreds of feet in height； and overhung so that I
could not see the sky。 It was full of rocks； and I had many falls
and bruises。 I was wet through from falling into the water； of
which there was no great volume； but it had such force that I could
do nothing against it； once I had to leap down a not inconsiderable
waterfall into a deep pool below； and my swag was so heavy that I
was very nearly drowned。 I had indeed a hair's…breadth escape；
but； as luck would have it； Providence was on my side。 Shortly
afterwards I began to fancy that the rift was getting wider； and
that there was more brushwood。 Presently I found myself on an open
grassy slope； and feeling my way a little farther along the stream；
I came upon a flat place with wood； where I could camp comfortably；
which was well； for it was now quite dark。
My first care was for my matches； were they dry？ The outside of my
swag had got completely wet； but； on undoing the blankets； I found
things warm and dry within。 How thankful I was！ I lit a fire； and
was grateful for its warmth and company。 I made myself some tea
and ate two of my biscuits： my brandy I did not touch； for I had
little left； and might want it when my courage failed me。 All that
I did； I did almost mechanically； for I could not realise my
situation to myself； beyond knowing that I was alone； and that
return through the chasm which I had just descended would be
impossible。 It is a dreadful feeling that of being cut off from
all one's kind。 I was still full of hope； and built golden castles
for myself as soon as I was warmed with food and fire； but I do not
believe that any man could long retain his reason in such solitude；
unless he had the companionship of animals。 One begins doubting
one's own identity。
I remember deriving comfort even from the sight of my blankets； and
the sound of my watch tickingthings which seemed to link me to
other people； but