Malcolm, James Peller: First Impressions Or Sketches from Art and Nature, Animate and Inanimate (London, 1807)

I36 THE BLACK MOUNTAINS.
shadas stalked along the mountain, and the wind
howled hoarse mulick to the appalling march 3
the sable hue of the ravines became black, the
surface sable ; the torrent descended, and the
mountain became obscured and lost till the mower
ceased, which compelled us to. retire to shelter,
where, in gloomy questions and answers, we de-
bated the propriety of deferring our tour. In the
midst of this irresolution a gleam os light refreshed
our hopes, and the sun invited us to the labours
of the day. We mounted our horses, forded the
swelled stream, and were soon at the base of the
path, which we saw winding before us as a thread
or clue rather than as a way fit for the tread os
man.
" What is to be done here ? It is impossible
to ascend this path in the vortex of the cave of
iEolus. We mail be blown down the precipice,
and dashed to pieces. What is to be done with
the horses ? We cannot possibly lead them.
Nothing shall tempt me to ride. Suppose, when
they are on the side, they should be frightened ;
we shall be dragged after them by the bridles."
Many rash actions are undertaken through the
dread of ridicule; and I candidly confess that
dread led me to contend with the elements half a
mile above the level of the earth, on the side os
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