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[ 40 ] withered and pale, so that both to the sight and to the touch, it resembled much a dry and shriveled blad≠ der. Notwithstanding this we were sensible of no other inconvenience but what arose from the wind and the cold: the action of the lungs and the func- tions of all the other parts of the body were perfectly free, though the barometer was only at 19 inches,

84. We quitted the summit at about a quarter af≠ ter two, to shelter ourselves from the wind behind some rocks, which were nearly 50 toises lower. Here we stayed about an hour. During this time the hy≠ grometer, exposed to the air but always in the shade, rose byimperceptible degrees to 132 1/4. It would probably have risen higher, had not we been obliged to quit this place, where the clouds began to gather, in order to reach the cottages before night. It was indeed already too late before we thought of retiring; for we were overtaken by the night, and a thunder storm, at a sufficient distance from our hut to expose us to the greatest danger of being lost, notwithstand≠ our guides, but for the assistance of two women, whose humanity deserves the highest commenda≠ tions. These women, who lived inio our cottages, being appried of our distress by our cries, notwith- standing the storm, and the scarcity of wood in there places, came out to kindle a great fire at the foot of the rocks on which we were wandering amidst the precipices, in total darkness ; and sometimes with great difficulty keeping the fire alive, sometimes ad≠ vancing towards ur with fire-brands till the wind and rain extinguished them, and endeavoured, with the most unaffected conern, to point out to us the path