第1章

PREFACETOTHEFIRSTEDITION

TheAuthorwishesittobeunderstoodthatErewhonispronouncedasawordofthreesyllables，allshort——thus，E-re-whon。

PREFACETOSECONDEDITION

Havingbeenenabledbythekindnessofthepublictogetthroughanunusuallylargeeditionof“Erewhon“inaveryshorttime，Ihavetakentheopportunityofasecondeditiontomakesomenecessarycorrections，andtoaddafewpassageswhereitstruckmethattheywouldbeappropriatelyintroduced；thepassagesarefew，anditismyfixedintentionnevertotouchtheworkagain。

Imayperhapsbeallowedtosayawordortwohereinreferenceto“TheComingRace。”tothesuccessofwhichbook“Erewhon“hasbeenverygenerallysetdownasdue。Thisisamistake，thoughaperfectlynaturalone。Thefactisthat“Erewhon“wasfinished，withtheexceptionofthelasttwentypagesandasentenceortwoinsertedfromtimetotimehereandtherethroughoutthebook，beforethefirstadvertisementof“TheComingRace“appeared。A

friendhavingcalledmyattentiontooneofthefirstoftheseadvertisements，andsuggestingthatitprobablyreferredtoaworkofsimilarcharactertomyown，Itook“Erewhon“toawell-knownfirmofpublishersonthe1stofMay1871，andleftitintheirhandsforconsideration。Ithenwentabroad，andonlearningthatthepublishersalludedtodeclinedtheMS。，Iletitaloneforsixorsevenmonths，and，beinginanout-of-the-waypartofItaly，neversawasinglereviewof“TheComingRace。”noracopyofthework。Onmyreturn，IpurposelyavoidedlookingintoituntilI

hadsentbackmylastrevisestotheprinter。ThenIhadmuchpleasureinreadingit，butwasindeedsurprisedatthemanylittlepointsofsimilaritybetweenthetwobooks，inspiteoftheirentireindependencetooneanother。

IregretthatreviewershaveinsomecasesbeeninclinedtotreatthechaptersonMachinesasanattempttoreduceMr。Darwin’stheorytoanabsurdity。Nothingcouldbefurtherfrommyintention，andfewthingswouldbemoredistastefultomethananyattempttolaughatMr。Darwin；butImustownthatIhavemyselftothankforthemisconception，forIfeltsurethatmyintentionwouldbemissed，butpreferrednottoweakenthechaptersbyexplanation，andknewverywellthatMr。Darwin’stheorywouldtakenoharm。TheonlyquestioninmymindwashowfarIcouldaffordtobemisrepresentedaslaughingatthatforwhichIhavethemostprofoundadmiration。Iamsurprised，however，thatthebookatwhichsuchanexampleofthespeciousmisuseofanalogywouldseemmostnaturallylevelledshouldhaveoccurredtonoreviewer；

neithershallImentionthenameofthebookhere，thoughIshouldfancythatthehintgivenwillsuffice。

IhavebeenheldbysomewhoseopinionsIrespecttohavedeniedmen’sresponsibilityfortheiractions。Hewhodoesthisisanenemywhodeservesnoquarter。IshouldhaveimaginedthatIhadbeensufficientlyexplicit，buthavemadeafewadditionstothechapteronMalcontents，whichwill，Ithink，servetorenderfurthermistakeimpossible。

Ananonymouscorrespondent(bythehand-writingpresumablyaclergyman)tellsmethatinquotingfromtheLatingrammarIshouldatanyratehavedonesocorrectly，andthatIshouldhavewritten“agricolas“insteadof“agricolae“。Headdedsomethingaboutanyboyinthefourthform，&c。，&c。，whichIshallnotquote，butwhichmademeveryuncomfortable。ItmaybesaidthatImusthavemisquotedfromdesign，fromignorance，orbyaslipofthepen；butsurelyinthesedaysitwillberecognisedasharshtoassignlimitstotheall-embracingboundlessnessoftruth，anditwillbemorereasonablyassumedthatEACHofthethreepossiblecausesofmisquotationmusthavehaditsshareintheapparentblunder。Theartofwritingthingsthatshallsoundrightandyetbewronghasmadesomanyreputations，andaffordscomforttosuchalargenumberofreaders，thatIcouldnotventuretoneglectit；theLatingrammar，however，isasubjectonwhichsomeoftheyoungermembersofthecommunityfeelstrongly，soIhavenowwritten“agricolas“。Ihavealsopartedwiththeword“infortuniam“

(thoughnotwithoutregret)，buthavenotdaredtomeddlewithothersimilarinaccuracies。

Fortheinconsistenciesinthebook，andIamawarethattherearenotafew，Imustasktheindulgenceofthereader。Theblame，however，lieschieflywiththeErewhoniansthemselves，fortheywerereallyaverydifficultpeopletounderstand。Themostglaringanomaliesseemedtoaffordthemnointellectualinconvenience；neither，providedtheydidnotactuallyseethemoneydroppingoutoftheirpockets，norsufferimmediatephysicalpain，wouldtheylistentoanyargumentsastothewasteofmoneyandhappinesswhichtheirfollycausedthem。ButthishadaneffectofwhichIhavelittlereasontocomplain，forIwasallowedalmosttocallthemlife-longself-deceiverstotheirfaces，andtheysaiditwasquitetrue，butthatitdidnotmatter。

Imustnotconcludewithoutexpressingmymostsincerethankstomycriticsandtothepublicfortheleniencyandconsiderationwithwhichtheyhavetreatedmyadventures。

June9，1872

PREFACETOTHEREVISEDEDITION

Mypublisherwishesmetosayafewwordsaboutthegenesisofthework，arevisedandenlargededitionofwhichheisherewithlayingbeforethepublic。IthereforeplaceonrecordasmuchasIcanrememberonthisheadafteralapseofmorethanthirtyyears。

Thefirstpartof“Erewhon“writtenwasanarticleheaded“DarwinamongtheMachines。”andsignedCellarius。ItwaswrittenintheUpperRangitatadistrictoftheCanterburyProvince(asitthenwas)ofNewZealand，andappearedatChristchurchinthePressNewspaper，June13，1863。AcopyofthisarticleisindexedundermybooksintheBritishMuseumcatalogue。Inpassing，Imaysaythattheopeningchaptersof“Erewhon“werealsodrawnfromtheUpperRangitatadistrict，withsuchmodificationsasIfoundconvenient。

AsecondarticleonthesamesubjectastheonejustreferredtoappearedinthePressshortlyafterthefirst，butIhavenocopy。

IttreatedMachinesfromadifferentpointofview，andwasthebasisofpp。270-274ofthepresenteditionof“Erewhon。”{1}ThisviewultimatelyledmetothetheoryIputforwardin“LifeandHabit。”publishedinNovember1877。Ihaveputabareoutlineofthistheory(whichIbelievetobequitesound)intothemouthofanErewhonianphilosopherinChapterXXVII。ofthisbook。

In1865Irewroteandenlarged“DarwinamongtheMachines“fortheReasoner，apaperpublishedinLondonbyMr。G。J。Holyoake。ItappearedJuly1，1865，undertheheading，“TheMechanicalCreation。”andcanbeseenintheBritishMuseum。Iagainrewroteandenlargedit，tillitassumedtheforminwhichitappearedinthefirsteditionof“Erewhon。”

Thenextpartof“Erewhon“thatIwrotewasthe“WorldoftheUnborn。”apreliminaryformofwhichwassenttoMr。Holyoake’spaper，butasIcannotfinditamongthosecopiesoftheReasonerthatareintheBritishMuseum，Iconcludethatitwasnotaccepted。Ihave，however，ratherastrongfancythatitappearedinsomeLondonpaperofthesamecharacterastheReasoner，notverylongafterJuly1，1865，butIhavenocopy。

IalsowroteaboutthistimethesubstanceofwhatultimatelybecametheMusicalBanks，andthetrialofamanforbeinginaconsumption。Thesefourdetachedpaperswere，Ibelieve，allthatwaswrittenof“Erewhon“before1870。Between1865and1870I

wrotehardlyanything，beinghopefulofattainingthatsuccessasapainterwhichithasnotbeenvouchsafedmetoattain，butintheautumnof1870，justasIwasbeginningtogetoccasionallyhungatRoyalAcademyexhibitions，myfriend，thelateSirF。N。(thenMr。)

Broome，suggestedtomethatIshouldaddsomewhattothearticlesIhadalreadywritten，andstringthemtogetherintoabook。Iwasratherfiredbytheidea，butasIonlyworkedattheMS。onSundaysitwassomemonthsbeforeIhadcompletedit。

IseefrommysecondPrefacethatItookthebooktoMessrs。

Chapman&HallMay1，1871，andontheirrejectionofit，undertheadviceofonewhohasattainedthehighestrankamonglivingwriters，Iletitsleep，tillItookittoMr。Trubnerearlyin1872。AsregardsitsrejectionbyMessrs。Chapman&Hall，I

believetheirreaderadvisedthemquitewisely。Theytoldmehereportedthatitwasaphilosophicalwork，littlelikelytobepopularwithalargecircleofreaders。IhopethatifIhadbeentheirreader，andthebookhadbeensubmittedtomyself，Ishouldhaveadvisedthemtothesameeffect。

“Erewhon“appearedwiththelastdayortwoofMarch1872。I

attributeitsunlooked-forsuccessmainlytotwoearlyfavourablereviews——thefirstinthePallMallGazetteofApril12，andthesecondintheSpectatorofApril20。Therewasalsoanothercause。

Iwascomplainingoncetoafriendthatthough“Erewhon“hadmetwithsuchawarmreception，mysubsequentbookshadbeenallofthempracticallystill-born。Hesaid，“Youforgetonecharmthat’Erewhon’had，butwhichnoneofyourotherbookscanhave。”I

askedwhat？andwasanswered，“Thesoundofanewvoice，andofanunknownvoice。”

Thefirsteditionof“Erewhon“soldinaboutthreeweeks；Ihadnottakenmoulds，andasthedemandwasstrong，itwassetupagainimmediately。Imadeafewunimportantalterationsandadditions，andaddedaPreface，ofwhichIcannotsaythatIamparticularlyproud，butaninexperiencedwriterwithaheadsomewhatturnedbyunexpectedsuccessisnottobetrustedwithapreface。Imadeafewfurtherverytriflingalterationsbeforemouldsweretaken，butsincethesummerof1872，asneweditionswerefromtimetotimewanted，theyhavebeenprintedfromstereosthenmade。

Havingnow，Ifear，attoogreatlengthdonewhatIwasaskedtodo，Ishouldliketoaddafewwordsonmyownaccount。Iamstillfairlywellsatisfiedwiththosepartsof“Erewhon“thatwererepeatedlyrewritten，butfromthosethathadonlyasinglewritingIwouldgladlycutoutsomefortyorfiftypagesifIcould。

This，however，maynotbe，forthecopyrightwillprobablyexpireinalittleovertwelveyears。Itwasnecessary，therefore，torevisethebookthroughoutforliteraryinelegancies——ofwhichI

foundmanymorethanIhadexpected——andalsotomakesuchsubstantialadditionsasshouldsecureanewleaseoflife——atanyrateforthecopyright。If，then，insteadofcuttingout，sayfiftypages，IhavebeencompelledtoaddaboutsixtyinvitaMinerva——theblamerestsneitherwithmypublishernorwithme，butwiththecopyrightlaws。NeverthelessIcanassurethereaderthat，thoughIhavefounditanirksometasktotakeupworkwhichIthoughtIhadgotridofthirtyyearsago，andmuchofwhichIamashamedof，Ihavedonemybesttomakethenewmattersavoursomuchofthebetterportionsoftheold，thatnonebutthebestcriticsshallperceiveatwhatplacesthegapsofbetweenthirtyandfortyyearsoccur。

Lastly，ifmyreadersnoteaconsiderabledifferencebetweentheliterarytechniqueof“Erewhon“andthatof“ErewhonRevisited。”I

wouldremindthemthat，asIhavejustshown，“Erewhon“looksomethingliketenyearsinwriting，andevensowaswrittenwithgreatdifficulty，while“ErewhonRevisited“waswritteneasilybetweenNovember1900andtheendofApril1901。Thereisnocentralideaunderlying“Erewhon。”whereastheattempttorealisetheeffectofasinglesupposedgreatmiracledominatesthewholeofitssuccessor。In“Erewhon“therewashardlyanystory，andlittleattempttogivelifeandindividualitytothecharacters；I

hopethatin“ErewhonRevisited“boththesedefectshavebeeningreatmeasureavoided。“Erewhon“wasnotanorganicwhole，“ErewhonRevisited“mayfairlyclaimtobeone。Nevertheless，thoughinliteraryworkmanshipIdonotdoubtthatthislast-namedbookisanimprovementonthefirst，IshallbeagreeablysurprisedifIamnottoldthat“Erewhon。”withallitsfaults，isthebetterreadingofthetwo。

SAMUELBUTLER。

August7，1901

CHAPTERI：WASTELANDS

Ifthereaderwillexcuseme，Iwillsaynothingofmyantecedents，norofthecircumstanceswhichledmetoleavemynativecountry；

thenarrativewouldbetedioustohimandpainfultomyself。

Sufficeit，thatwhenIlefthomeitwaswiththeintentionofgoingtosomenewcolony，andeitherfinding，orevenperhapspurchasing，wastecrownlandsuitableforcattleorsheepfarming，bywhichmeansIthoughtthatIcouldbettermyfortunesmorerapidlythaninEngland。

ItwillbeseenthatIdidnotsucceedinmydesign，andthathowevermuchImayhavemetwiththatwasnewandstrange，Ihavebeenunabletoreapanypecuniaryadvantage。

Itistrue，Iimaginemyselftohavemadeadiscoverywhich，ifI

canbethefirsttoprofitbyit，willbringmearecompensebeyondallmoneycomputation，andsecuremeapositionsuchashasnotbeenattainedbymorethansomefifteenorsixteenpersons，sincethecreationoftheuniverse。ButtothisendImustpossessmyselfofaconsiderablesumofmoney：neitherdoIknowhowtogetit，exceptbyinterestingthepublicinmystory，andinducingthecharitabletocomeforwardandassistme。WiththishopeInowpublishmyadventures；butIdosowithgreatreluctance，forI

fearthatmystorywillbedoubtedunlessItellthewholeofit；

andyetIdarenotdoso，lestotherswithmoremeansthanmineshouldgetthestartofme。Iprefertheriskofbeingdoubtedtothatofbeinganticipated，andhavethereforeconcealedmydestinationonleavingEngland，asalsothepointfromwhichI

beganmymoreseriousanddifficultjourney。

Mychiefconsolationliesinthefactthattruthbearsitsownimpress，andthatmystorywillcarryconvictionbyreasonoftheinternalevidencesforitsaccuracy。Noonewhoishimselfhonestwilldoubtmybeingso。

Ireachedmydestinationinoneofthelastmonthsof1868，butI

darenotmentiontheseason，lestthereadershouldgatherinwhichhemisphereIwas。Thecolonywasonewhichhadnotbeenopenedupeventothemostadventuroussettlersformorethaneightornineyears，havingbeenpreviouslyuninhabited，savebyafewtribesofsavageswhofrequentedtheseaboard。ThepartknowntoEuropeansconsistedofacoast-lineabouteighthundredmilesinlength(affordingthreeorfourgoodharbours)，andatractofcountryextendinginlandforaspacevaryingfromtwotothreehundredmiles，untilitareachedtheoffshootsofanexceedinglyloftyrangeofmountains，whichcouldbeseenfromfaroutupontheplains，andwerecoveredwithperpetualsnow。ThecoastwasperfectlywellknownbothnorthandsouthofthetracttowhichI

havealluded，butinneitherdirectionwasthereasingleharbourforfivehundredmiles，andthemountains，whichdescendedalmostintothesea，werecoveredwiththicktimber，sothatnonewouldthinkofsettling。

Withthisbayofland，however，thecasewasdifferent。Theharboursweresufficient；thecountrywastimbered，butnottooheavily；itwasadmirablysuitedforagriculture；italsocontainedmillionsonmillionsofacresofthemostbeautifullygrassedcountryintheworld，andofthebestsuitedforallmannerofsheepandcattle。Theclimatewastemperate，andveryhealthy；

therewerenowildanimals，norwerethenativesdangerous，beingfewinnumberandofanintelligenttractabledisposition。

ItmaybereadilyunderstoodthatwhenonceEuropeanssetfootuponthisterritorytheywerenotslowtotakeadvantageofitscapabilities。Sheepandcattlewereintroduced，andbredwithextremerapidity；mentookuptheir50，000or100，000acresofcountry，goinginlandonebehindtheother，tillinafewyearstherewasnotanacrebetweentheseaandthefrontrangeswhichwasnottakenup，andstationseitherforsheeporcattlewerespottedaboutatintervalsofsometwentyorthirtymilesoverthewholecountry。Thefrontrangesstoppedthetideofsquattersforsomelittletime；itwasthoughtthattherewastoomuchsnowuponthemfortoomanymonthsintheyear，——thatthesheepwouldgetlost，thegroundbeingtoodifficultforshepherding，——thattheexpenseofgettingwooldowntotheship’ssidewouldeatupthefarmer’sprofits，——andthatthegrasswastooroughandsourforsheeptothriveupon；butoneafteranotherdeterminedtotrytheexperiment，anditwaswonderfulhowsuccessfullyitturnedout。

Menpushedfartherandfartherintothemountains，andfoundaveryconsiderabletractinsidethefrontrange，betweenitandanotherwhichwasloftierstill，thougheventhiswasnotthehighest，thegreatsnowyonewhichcouldbeseenfromoutupontheplains。Thissecondrange，however，seemedtomarktheextremelimitsofpastoralcountry；anditwashere，atasmallandnewlyfoundedstation，thatIwasreceivedasacadet，andsoonregularlyemployed。Iwasthenjusttwenty-twoyearsold。

Iwasdelightedwiththecountryandthemanneroflife。Itwasmydailybusinesstogouptothetopofacertainhighmountain，anddownoneofitsspursontotheflat，inordertomakesurethatnosheephadcrossedtheirboundaries。Iwastoseethesheep，notnecessarilycloseathand，nortogettheminasinglemob，buttoseeenoughofthemhereandtheretofeeleasythatnothinghadgonewrong；thiswasnodifficultmatter，fortherewerenotaboveeighthundredofthem；and，beingallbreedingewes，theywereprettyquiet。

TherewereagoodmanysheepwhichIknew，astwoorthreeblackewes，andablacklambortwo，andseveralotherswhichhadsomedistinguishingmarkwherebyIcouldtellthem。Iwouldtryandseeallthese，andiftheywereallthere，andthemoblookedlargeenough，Imightrestassuredthatallwaswell。Itissurprisinghowsoontheeyebecomesaccustomedtomissingtwentysheepoutoftwoorthreehundred。Ihadatelescopeandadog，andwouldtakebreadandmeatandtobaccowithme。Startingwithearlydawn，itwouldbenightbeforeIcouldcompletemyround；forthemountainoverwhichIhadtogowasveryhigh。Inwinteritwascoveredwithsnow，andthesheepneedednowatchingfromabove。IfIweretoseesheepdungortracksgoingdownontotheothersideofthemountain(wheretherewasavalleywithastream——amereculdesac)，Iwastofollowthem，andlookoutforsheep；butIneversawany，thesheepalwaysdescendingontotheirownside，partlyfromhabit，andpartlybecausetherewasabundanceofgoodsweetfeed，whichhadbeenburntintheearlyspring，justbeforeIcame，andwasnowdeliciouslygreenandrich，whilethatontheothersidehadneverbeenburnt，andwasrankandcoarse。

Itwasamonotonouslife，butitwasveryhealthyandonedoesnotmuchmindanythingwhenoneiswell。Thecountrywasthegrandestthatcanbeimagined。HowoftenhaveIsatonthemountainsideandwatchedthewavingdowns，withthetwowhitespecksofhutsinthedistance，andthelittlesquareofgardenbehindthem；thepaddockwithapatchofbrightgreenoatsabovethehuts，andtheyardsandwool-shedsdownontheflatbelow；allseenasthroughthewrongendofatelescope，soclearandbrilliantwastheair，orasuponacolossalmodelormapspreadoutbeneathme。Beyondthedownswasaplain，goingdowntoariverofgreatsize，onthefarthersideofwhichtherewereotherhighmountains，withthewinter’ssnowstillnotquitemelted；uptheriver，whichranwindinginmanystreamsoverabedsometwomilesbroad，Ilookeduponthesecondgreatchain，andcouldseeanarrowgorgewheretheriverretiredandwaslost。Iknewthattherewasarangestillfartherback；butexceptfromoneplaceneartheverytopofmyownmountain，nopartofitwasvisible：fromthispoint，however，I

saw，whenevertherewerenoclouds，asinglesnow-cladpeak，manymilesaway，andIshouldthinkaboutashighasanymountainintheworld。NevershallIforgettheutterlonelinessoftheprospect——

onlythelittlefar-awayhomesteadgivingsignofhumanhandiwork；——

thevastnessofmountainandplain，ofriverandsky；themarvellousatmosphericeffects——sometimesblackmountainsagainstawhitesky，andthenagain，aftercoldweather，whitemountainsagainstablacksky——sometimesseenthroughbreaksandswirlsofcloud——andsometimes，whichwasbestofall，Iwentupmymountaininafog，andthengotabovethemist；goinghigherandhigher，I

wouldlookdownuponaseaofwhiteness，throughwhichwouldbethrustinnumerablemountaintopsthatlookedlikeislands。

Iamtherenow，asIwrite；IfancythatIcanseethedowns，thehuts，theplain，andtheriver-bed——thattorrentpathwayofdesolation，withitsdistantroarofwaters。Oh，wonderful！

wonderful！solonelyandsosolemn，withthesadgreycloudsabove，andnosoundsavealostlambbleatinguponthemountainside，asthoughitslittleheartwerebreaking。Thentherecomessomeleanandwitheredoldewe，withdeepgruffvoiceandunlovelyaspect，trottingbackfromtheseductivepasture；nowsheexaminesthisgully，andnowthat，andnowshestandslisteningwithupliftedhead，thatshemayhearthedistantwailingandobeyit。Aha！theysee，andrushtowardseachother。Alas！theyarebothmistaken；

theeweisnotthelamb’sewe，theyareneitherkinnorkindtooneanother，andpartincoldness。Eachmustcrylouder，andwanderfartheryet；mayluckbewiththemboththattheymayfindtheirownatnightfall。Butthisismeredreaming，andImustproceed。

Icouldnothelpspeculatinguponwhatmightliefartheruptheriverandbehindthesecondrange。Ihadnomoney，butifIcouldonlyfindworkablecountry，Imightstockitwithborrowedcapital，andconsidermyselfamademan。True，therangelookedsovast，thatthereseemedlittlechanceofgettingasufficientroadthroughitoroverit；butnoonehadyetexploredit，anditiswonderfulhowonefindsthatonecanmakeapathintoallsortsofplaces(andevengetaroadforpack-horses)，whichfromadistanceappearinaccessible；theriverwassogreatthatitmustdrainaninnertract——atleastIthoughtso；andthougheveryonesaiditwouldbemadnesstoattempttakingsheepfartherinland，Iknewthatonlythreeyearsagothesamecryhadbeenraisedagainstthecountrywhichmymaster’sflockwasnowoverrunning。IcouldnotkeepthesethoughtsoutofmyheadasIwouldrestmyselfuponthemountainside；theyhauntedmeasIwentmydailyrounds，andgrewuponmefromhourtohour，tillIresolvedthataftershearingI

wouldremainindoubtnolonger，butsaddlemyhorse，takeasmuchprovisionwithmeasIcould，andgoandseeformyself。

Butoverandabovethesethoughtscamethatofthegreatrangeitself。Whatwasbeyondit？Ah！whocouldsay？Therewasnooneinthewholeworldwhohadthesmallestidea，savethosewhowerethemselvesontheothersideofit——if，indeed，therewasanyoneatall。CouldIhopetocrossit？ThiswouldbethehighesttriumphthatIcouldwishfor；butitwastoomuchtothinkofyet。

Iwouldtrythenearerrange，andseehowfarIcouldgo。EvenifIdidnotfindcountry，mightInotfindgold，ordiamonds，orcopper，orsilver？Iwouldsometimeslieflatdowntodrinkoutofastream，andcouldseelittleyellowspecksamongthesand；werethesegold？Peoplesaidno；butthenpeoplealwayssaidtherewasnogolduntilitwasfoundtobeabundant：therewasplentyofslateandgranite，whichIhadalwaysunderstoodtoaccompanygold；

andeventhoughitwasnotfoundinpayingquantitieshere，itmightbeabundantinthemainranges。Thesethoughtsfilledmyhead，andIcouldnotbanishthem。

CHAPTERII：INTHEWOOL-SHED

Atlastshearingcame；andwiththeshearerstherewasanoldnative，whomtheyhadnicknamedChowbok——though，Ibelieve，hisrealnamewasKahabuka。Hewasasortofchiefofthenatives，couldspeakalittleEnglish，andwasagreatfavouritewiththemissionaries。Hedidnotdoanyregularworkwiththeshearers，butpretendedtohelpintheyards，hisrealaimbeingtogetthegrog，whichisalwaysmorefreelycirculatedatshearing-time：hedidnotgetmuch，forhewasapttobedangerouswhendrunk；andverylittlewouldmakehimso：stillhedidgetitoccasionally，andifonewantedtogetanythingoutofhim，itwasthebestbribetoofferhim。Iresolvedtoquestionhim，andgetasmuchinformationfromhimasIcould。Ididso。AslongasIkepttoquestionsaboutthenearerranges，hewaseasytogetonwith——hehadneverbeenthere，butthereweretraditionsamonghistribetotheeffectthattherewasnosheep-country，nothing，infact，butstuntedtimberandafewriver-bedflats。Itwasverydifficulttoreach；stilltherewerepasses：oneofthemupourownriver，thoughnotdirectlyalongtheriver-bed，thegorgeofwhichwasnotpracticable；hehadneverseenanyonewhohadbeenthere：wastheretonotenoughonthisside？ButwhenIcametothemainrange，hismannerchangedatonce。Hebecameuneasy，andbegantoprevaricateandshuffle。InaveryfewminutesIcouldseethatofthistoothereexistedtraditionsinhistribe；butnoeffortsorcoaxingcouldgetawordfromhimaboutthem。AtlastIhintedaboutgrog，andpresentlyhefeignedconsent：Igaveithim；butassoonashehaddrunkithebeganshammingintoxication，andthenwenttosleep，orpretendedtodoso，lettingmekickhimprettyhardandneverbudging。

Iwasangry，forIhadtogowithoutmyowngrogandhadgotnothingoutofhim；sothenextdayIdeterminedthatheshouldtellmebeforeIgavehimany，orgetnoneatall。

Accordingly，whennightcameandtheshearershadknockedoffworkandhadtheirsupper，IgotmyshareofruminatinpannikinandmadeasigntoChowboktofollowmetothewool-shed，whichhewillinglydid，slippingoutafterme，andnoonetakinganynoticeofeitherofus。Whenwegotdowntothewool-shedwelitatallowcandle，andhavingstuckitinanoldbottlewesatdownuponthewoolbalesandbegantosmoke。Awool-shedisaroomyplace，builtsomewhatonthesameplanasacathedral，withaislesoneithersidefullofpensforthesheep，agreatnave，attheupperendofwhichtheshearerswork，andafurtherspaceforwoolsortersandpackers。Italwaysrefreshedmewithasemblanceofantiquity(preciousinanewcountry)，thoughIverywellknewthattheoldestwool-shedinthesettlementwasnotmorethansevenyearsold，whilethiswasonlytwo。Chowbokpretendedtoexpecthisgrogatonce，thoughwebothofusknewverywellwhattheotherwasafter，andthatwewereeachplayingagainsttheother，theoneforgrogtheotherforinformation。

Wehadahardfight：formorethantwohourshehadtriedtoputmeoffwithliesbuthadcarriednoconviction；duringthewholetimewehadbeenmorallywrestlingwithoneanotherandhadneitherofusapparentlygainedtheleastadvantage；atlength，however，I

hadbecomesurethathewouldgiveinultimately，andthatwithalittlefurtherpatienceIshouldgethisstoryoutofhim。Asuponacolddayinwinter，whenonehaschurned(asIhadoftenhadtodo)，andchurnedinvain，andthebuttermakesnosignofcoming，atlastonetellsbythesoundthatthecreamhasgonetosleep，andthenuponasuddenthebuttercomes，soIhadchurnedatChowbokuntilIperceivedthathehadarrived，asitwere，atthesleepystage，andthatwithacontinuanceofsteadyquietpressurethedaywasmine。Onasudden，withoutawordofwarning，herolledtwobalesofwool(hisstrengthwasverygreat)intothemiddleofthefloor，andonthetopoftheseheplacedanothercrosswise；hesnatchedupanemptywool-pack，threwitlikeamantleoverhisshoulders，jumpedupontheuppermostbale，andsatuponit。Inamomenthiswholeformwaschanged。Hishighshouldersdropped；hesethisfeetclosetogether，heeltoheelandtoetotoe；helaidhisarmsandhandsclosealongsideofhisbody，thepalmsfollowinghisthighs；heheldhisheadhighbutquitestraight，andhiseyesstaredrightinfrontofhim；buthefrownedhorribly，andassumedanexpressionoffacethatwaspositivelyfiendish。AtthebestoftimesChowbokwasveryugly，buthenowexceededallconceivablelimitsofthehideous。Hismouthextendedalmostfromeartoear，grinninghorriblyandshowingallhisteeth；hiseyesglared，thoughtheyremainedquitefixed，andhisforeheadwascontractedwithamostmalevolentscowl。

Iamafraidmydescriptionwillhaveconveyedonlytheridiculoussideofhisappearance；buttheridiculousandthesublimearenear，andthegrotesquefiendishnessofChowbok’sfaceapproachedthislast，ifitdidnotreachit。Itriedtobeamused，butI

feltasortofcreepingattherootsofmyhairandovermywholebody，asIlookedandwonderedwhathecouldpossiblybeintendingtosignify。Hecontinuedthusforaboutaminute，sittingboltupright，asstiffasastone，andmakingthisfearfulface。Thentherecamefromhislipsalowmoaninglikethewind，risingandfallingbyinfinitelysmallgradationstillitbecamealmostashriek，fromwhichitdescendedanddiedaway；afterthat，hejumpeddownfromthebaleandhelduptheextendedfingersofbothhishands，asonewhoshouldsay“Ten。”thoughIdidnotthenunderstandhim。

FormyselfIwasopen-mouthedwithastonishment。Chowbokrolledthebalesrapidlyintotheirplace，andstoodbeforemeshudderingasingreatfear；horrorwaswrittenuponhisface——thistimequiteinvoluntarily——asthoughthenaturalpanicofonewhohadcommittedanawfulcrimeagainstunknownandsuperhumanagencies。Henoddedhisheadandgibbered，andpointedrepeatedlytothemountains。Hewouldnottouchthegrog，but，afterafewsecondshemadearunthroughthewool-sheddoorintothemoonlight；nordidhereappeartillnextdayatdinner-time，whenheturnedup，lookingverysheepishandabjectinhiscivilitytowardsmyself。

OfhismeaningIhadnoconception。HowcouldI？AllIcouldfeelsureofwas，thathehadameaningwhichwastrueandawfultohimself。ItwasenoughformethatIbelievedhimtohavegivenmethebesthehadandallhehad。Thiskindledmyimaginationmorethanifhehadtoldmeintelligiblestoriesbythehourtogether。

Iknewnotwhatthegreatsnowyrangesmightconceal，butIcouldnolongerdoubtthatitwouldbesomethingwellworthdiscovering。

IkeptalooffromChowbokforthenextfewdays，andshowednodesiretoquestionhimfurther；whenIspoketohimIcalledhimKahabuka，whichgratifiedhimgreatly：heseemedtohavebecomeafraidofme，andactedasonewhowasinmypower。HavingthereforemadeupmymindthatIwouldbeginexploringassoonasshearingwasover，IthoughtitwouldbeagoodthingtotakeChowbokwithme；soItoldhimthatImeantgoingtothenearerrangesforafewdays’prospecting，andthathewastocometoo。I

madehimpromisesofnightlygrog，andheldoutthechancesoffindinggold。Isaidnothingaboutthemainrange，forIknewitwouldfrightenhim。IwouldgethimasfarupourownriverasI

could，andtraceitifpossibletoitssource。Iwouldtheneithergoonbymyself，ifIfeltmycourageequaltotheattempt，orreturnwithChowbok。So，assoonasevershearingwasoverandthewoolsentoff，Iaskedleaveofabsence，andobtainedit。Also，I

boughtanoldpack-horseandpack-saddle，sothatImighttakeplentyofprovisions，andblankets，andasmalltent。Iwastorideandfindfordsovertheriver；Chowbokwastofollowandleadthepack-horse，whichwouldalsocarryhimoverthefords。Mymasterletmehaveteaandsugar，ship’sbiscuits，tobacco，andsaltmutton，withtwoorthreebottlesofgoodbrandy；for，asthewoolwasnowsentdown，abundanceofprovisionswouldcomeupwiththeemptydrays。

Everythingbeingnowready，allthehandsonthestationturnedouttoseeusoff，andwestartedonourjourney，notverylongafterthesummersolsticeof1870。

CHAPTERIII：UPTHERIVER

Thefirstdaywehadaneasytime，followingupthegreatflatsbytheriverside，whichhadalreadybeentwiceburned，sothattherewasnodenseundergrowthtocheckus，thoughthegroundwasoftenrough，andwehadtogoagooddealupontheriverbed。Towardsnightfallwehadmadeamatterofsomefive-and-twentymiles，andcampedatthepointwheretheriverentereduponthegorge。

Theweatherwasdelightfullywarm，consideringthatthevalleyinwhichwewereencampedmusthavebeenatleasttwothousandfeetabovethelevelofthesea。Theriver-bedwashereaboutamileandahalfbroadandentirelycoveredwithshingleoverwhichtheriverraninmanywindingchannels，looking，whenseenfromabove，likeatangledskeinofribbon，andglisteninginthesun。Weknewthatitwasliabletoverysuddenandheavyfreshets；butevenhadwenotknownit，wecouldhaveseenitbythesnagsoftrees，whichmusthavebeencarriedlongdistances，andbythemassofvegetableandmineraldebriswhichwasbankedagainsttheirlowerside，showingthatattimesthewholeriver-bedmustbecoveredwitharoaringtorrentmanyfeetindepthandofungovernablefury。Atpresenttheriverwaslow，therebeingbutfiveorsixstreams，toodeepandrapidforevenastrongmantofordonfoot，buttobecrossedsafelyonhorseback。Oneithersideofittherewerestillafewacresofflat，whichgrewwiderandwiderdowntheriver，tilltheybecamethelargeplainsonwhichwelookedfrommymaster’shut。Behindusrosethelowestspursofthesecondrange，leadingabruptlytotherangeitself；andatadistanceofhalfamilebeganthegorge，wheretherivernarrowedandbecameboisterousandterrible。Thebeautyofthescenecannotbeconveyedinlanguage。Theonesideofthevalleywasbluewitheveningshadow，throughwhichloomedforestandprecipice，hillsideandmountaintop；andtheotherwasstillbrilliantwiththesunsetgold。Thewideandwastefulriverwithitsceaselessrushing——thebeautifulwater-birdstoo，whichaboundedupontheisletsandweresotamethatwecouldcomecloseuptothem——theineffablepurityoftheair——thesolemnpeacefulnessoftheuntroddenregion——couldtherebeamoredelightfulandexhilaratingcombination？

Wesetaboutmakingourcamp，closetosomelargebushwhichcamedownfromthemountainsontotheflat，andtetheredoutourhorsesupongroundasfreeaswecouldfinditfromanythingroundwhichtheymightwindtheropeandgetthemselvestiedup。Wedarednotletthemrunloose，lesttheymightstraydowntheriverhomeagain。Wethengatheredwoodandlitthefire。Wefilledatinpannikinwithwaterandsetitagainstthehotashestoboil。Whenthewaterboiledwethrewintwoorthreelargepinchesofteaandletthembrew。

Wehadcaughthalfadozenyoungducksinthecourseoftheday——aneasymatter，fortheoldbirdsmadesuchafussinattemptingtodecoyusawayfromthem——pretendingtobebadlyhurtastheysaytheploverdoes——thatwecouldalwaysfindthembygoingaboutintheoppositedirectiontotheoldbirdtillweheardtheyoungonescrying：thenweranthemdown，fortheycouldnotflythoughtheywerenearlyfullgrown。Chowbokpluckedthemalittleandsingedthemagooddeal。Thenwecutthemupandboiledtheminanotherpannikin，andthiscompletedourpreparations。

Whenwehaddonesupperitwasquitedark。Thesilenceandfreshnessofthenight，theoccasionalsharpcryofthewood-hen，theruddyglowofthefire，thesubduedrushingoftheriver，thesombreforest，andtheimmediateforegroundofoursaddlespacksandblankets，madeapictureworthyofaSalvatorRosaoraNicolasPoussin。Icallittomindanddelightinitnow，butIdidnotnoticeitatthetime。Wenexttoneverknowwhenwearewelloff：

butthiscutstwoways，——forifwedid，weshouldperhapsknowbetterwhenweareilloffalso；andIhavesometimesthoughtthatthereareasmanyignorantoftheoneasoftheother。Hewhowrote，“Ofortunatosnimiumsuasibonanorintagricolas。”mighthavewrittenquiteastruly，“Oinfortunatosnimiumsuasimalanorint“；andtherearefewofuswhoarenotprotectedfromthekeenestpainbyourinabilitytoseewhatitisthatwehavedone，whatwearesuffering，andwhatwetrulyare。Letusbegratefultothemirrorforrevealingtousourappearanceonly。

Wefoundassoftapieceofgroundaswecould——thoughitwasallstony——andhavingcollectedgrassandsodisposedofourselvesthatwehadalittlehollowforourhip-bones，westrappedourblanketsaroundusandwenttosleep。WakinginthenightIsawthestarsoverheadandthemoonlightbrightuponthemountains。Theriverwaseverrushing；Iheardoneofourhorsesneightoitscompanion，andwasassuredthattheywerestillathand；Ihadnocareofmindorbody，savethatIhaddoubtlessmanydifficultiestoovercome；

therecameuponmeadelicioussenseofpeace，afulnessofcontentmentwhichIdonotbelievecanbefeltbyanybutthosewhohavespentdaysconsecutivelyonhorseback，oratanyrateintheopenair。

Nextmorningwefoundourlastnight’stea-leavesfrozenatthebottomofthepannikins，thoughitwasnotnearlythebeginningofautumn；webreakfastedaswehadsupped，andwereonourwaybysixo’clock。Inhalfanhourwehadenteredthegorge，andturningroundacornerwebadefarewelltothelastsightofmymaster’scountry。

Thegorgewasnarrowandprecipitous；theriverwasnowonlyafewyardswide，androaredandthunderedagainstrocksofmanytonsinweight；thesoundwasdeafening，fortherewasagreatvolumeofwater。Weweretwohoursinmakinglessthanamile，andthatwithdanger，sometimesintheriverandsometimesontherock。Therewasthatdampblacksmellofrockscoveredwithslimyvegetation，asnearsomehugewaterfallwheresprayiseverrising。Theairwasclammyandcold。Icannotconceivehowourhorsesmanagedtokeeptheirfooting，especiallytheonewiththepack，andIdreadedthehavingtoreturnalmostasmuchasgoingforward。Isupposethislastedthreemiles，butitwaswellmiddaywhenthegorgegotalittlewider，andasmallstreamcameintoitfromatributaryvalley。Fartherprogressupthemainriverwasimpossible，forthecliffsdescendedlikewalls；sowewentupthesidestream，Chowbokseemingtothinkthatheremustbethepassofwhichreportsexistedamonghispeople。Wenowincurredlessofactualdangerbutmorefatigue，anditwasonlyafterinfinitetrouble，owingtotherocksandtangledvegetation，thatwegotourselvesandourhorsesuponthesaddlefromwhichthissmallstreamdescended；bythattimecloudshaddescendeduponus，anditwasrainingheavily。

Moreover，itwassixo’clockandweweretiredout，havingmadeperhapssixmilesintwelvehours。

Onthesaddletherewassomecoarsegrasswhichwasinfullseed，andthereforeverynourishingforthehorses；alsoabundanceofaniseandsow-thistle，ofwhichtheyareextravagantlyfond，soweturnedthemlooseandpreparedtocamp。Everythingwassoakingwetandwewerehalf-perishedwithcold；indeedwewereveryuncomfortable。Therewasbrushwoodabout，butwecouldgetnofiretillwehadshavedoffthewetoutsideofsomedeadbranchesandfilledourpocketswiththedryinsidechips。Havingdonethiswemanagedtostartafire，nordidweallowittogooutwhenwehadoncestartedit；wepitchedthetentandbynineo’clockwerecomparativelywarmanddry。Nextmorningitwasfine；webrokecamp，andafteradvancingashortdistancewefoundthat，bydescendingovergroundlessdifficultthanyesterday’s，weshouldcomeagainupontheriver-bed，whichhadopenedoutabovethegorge；butitwasplainataglancethattherewasnoavailablesheepcountry，nothingbutafewflatscoveredwithscruboneithersidetheriver，andmountainswhichwereperfectlyworthless。Butwecouldseethemainrange。Therewasnomistakeaboutthis。Theglaciersweretumblingdownthemountainsideslikecataracts，andseemedactuallytodescendupontheriver-bed；therecouldbenoseriousdifficultyinreachingthembyfollowinguptheriver，whichwaswideandopen；butitseemedratheranobjectlessthingtodo，forthemainrangelookedhopeless，andmycuriosityaboutthenatureofthecountryabovethegorgewasnowquitesatisfied；

therewasnomoneyinitwhatever，unlessthereshouldbeminerals，ofwhichIsawnomoresignsthanlowerdown。

However，IresolvedthatIwouldfollowtheriverup，andnotreturnuntilIwascompelledtodoso。IwouldgoupeverybranchasfarasIcould，andwashwellforgold。Chowboklikedseeingmedothis，butitnevercametoanything，forwedidnotevenfindthecolour。Hisdislikeofthemainrangeappearedtohavewornoff，andhemadenoobjectionstoapproachingit。Ithinkhethoughttherewasnodangerofmytryingtocrossit，andhewasnotafraidofanythingonthisside；besides，wemightfindgold。

Butthefactwasthathehadmadeuphismindwhattodoifhesawmegettingtoonearit。

Wepassedthreeweeksinexploring，andneverdidIfindtimegomorequickly。Theweatherwasfine，thoughthenightsgotverycold。Wefollowedeverystreambutone，andalwaysfounditleadustoaglacierwhichwasplainlyimpassable，atanyratewithoutalargerpartyandropes。Onestreamremained，whichIshouldhavefollowedupalready，hadnotChowboksaidthathehadrisenearlyonemorningwhileIwasyetasleep，andaftergoingupitforthreeorfourmiles，hadseenthatitwasimpossibletogofarther。I

hadlongagodiscoveredthathewasagreatliar，soIwasbentongoingupmyself：inbrief，Ididso：sofarfrombeingimpossible，itwasquiteeasytravelling；andafterfiveorsixmilesIsawasaddleattheendofit，which，thoughcovereddeepinsnow，wasnotglaciered，andwhichdidverilyappeartobepartofthemainrangeitself。Nowordscanexpresstheintensityofmydelight。Mybloodwasallonfirewithhopeandelation；butonlookingroundforChowbok，whowasbehindme，Isawtomysurpriseandangerthathehadturnedback，andwasgoingdownthevalleyashardashecould。Hehadleftme。

CHAPTERIV：THESADDLE

Icooeyedtohim，buthewouldnothear。Iranafterhim，buthehadgottoogoodastart。ThenIsatdownonastoneandthoughtthemattercarefullyover。ItwasplainthatChowbokhaddesignedlyattemptedtokeepmefromgoingupthisvalley，yethehadshownnounwillingnesstofollowmeanywhereelse。Whatcouldthismean，unlessthatIwasnowupontheroutebywhichalonethemysteriesofthegreatrangescouldberevealed？WhatthenshouldIdo？GobackattheverymomentwhenithadbecomeplainthatI

wasontherightscent？Hardly；yettoproceedalonewouldbebothdifficultanddangerous。Itwouldbebadenoughtoreturntomymaster’srun，andpassthroughtherockygorges，withnochanceofhelpfromanothershouldIgetintoadifficulty；buttoadvanceforanyconsiderabledistancewithoutacompanionwouldbenextdoortomadness。Accidentswhichareslightwhenthereisanotherathand(asthesprainingofanankle，orthefallingintosomeplacewhenceescapewouldbeeasybymeansofanoutstretchedhandandabitofrope)maybefataltoonewhoisalone。ThemoreI

ponderedthelessIlikedit；andyet，thelesscouldImakeupmymindtoreturnwhenIlookedatthesaddleattheheadofthevalley，andnotedthecomparativeeasewithwhichitssmoothsweepofsnowmightbesurmounted：Iseemedtoseemywayalmostfrommypresentpositiontotheverytop。Aftermuchthought，IresolvedtogoforwarduntilIshouldcometosomeplacewhichwasreallydangerous，butthentoreturn。Ishouldthus，Ihoped，atanyratereachthetopofthesaddle，andsatisfymyselfastowhatmightbeontheotherside。

Ihadnotimetolose，foritwasnowbetweentenandeleveninthemorning。FortunatelyIwaswellequipped，foronleavingthecampandthehorsesatthelowerendofthevalleyIhadprovidedmyself(accordingtomycustom)witheverythingthatIwaslikelytowantforfourorfivedays。Chowbokhadcarriedhalf，buthaddroppedhiswholeswag——Isuppose，atthemomentofhistakingflight——forIcameuponitwhenIranafterhim。Ihad，therefore，hisprovisionsaswellasmyown。Accordingly，ItookasmanybiscuitsasIthoughtIcouldcarry，andalsosometobacco，tea，andafewmatches。Irolledallthesethings(togetherwithaflasknearlyfullofbrandy，whichIhadkeptinmypocketforfearlestChowbokshouldgetholdofit)insidemyblankets，andstrappedthemverytightly，makingthewholeintoalongrollofsomesevenfeetinlengthandsixinchesindiameter。ThenItiedthetwoendstogether，andputthewholeroundmyneckandoveroneshoulder。

Thisistheeasiestwayofcarryingaheavyswag，foronecanrestone’sselfbyshiftingtheburdenfromoneshouldertotheother。

Istrappedmypannikinandasmallaxeaboutmywaist，andthusequippedbegantoascendthevalley，angryathavingbeenmisledbyChowbok，butdeterminednottoreturntillIwascompelledtodoso。

Icrossedandrecrossedthestreamseveraltimeswithoutdifficulty，forthereweremanygoodfords。Atoneo’clockIwasatthefootofthesaddle；forfourhoursImounted，thelasttwoonthesnow，wherethegoingwaseasier；byfive，Iwaswithintenminutesofthetop，inastateofexcitementgreater，Ithink，thanIhadeverknownbefore。Tenminutesmore，andthecoldairfromtheothersidecamerushinguponme。

Aglance。IwasNOTonthemainrange。

Anotherglance。Therewasanawfulriver，muddyandhorriblyangry，roaringoveranimmenseriverbed，thousandsoffeetbelowme。

Itwentroundtothewestward，andIcouldseenofartherupthevalley，savethattherewereenormousglacierswhichmustextendroundthesourceoftheriver，andfromwhichitmustspring。

Anotherglance，andthenIremainedmotionless。

Therewasaneasypassinthemountainsdirectlyoppositetome，throughwhichIcaughtaglimpseofanimmeasurableextentofblueanddistantplains。

Easy？Yes，perfectlyeasy；grassednearlytothesummit，whichwas，asitwere，anopenpathbetweentwoglaciers，fromwhichaninconsiderablestreamcametumblingdownoverroughbutverypossiblehillsides，tillitgotdowntothelevelofthegreatriver，andformedaflatwheretherewasgrassandasmallbushofstuntedtimber。

AlmostbeforeIcouldbelievemyeyes，acloudhadcomeupfromthevalleyontheotherside，andtheplainswerehidden。Whatwonderfulluckwasmine！HadIarrivedfiveminuteslater，thecloudwouldhavebeenoverthepass，andIshouldnothaveknownofitsexistence。Nowthatthecloudwasthere，Ibegantodoubtmymemory，andtobeuncertainwhetherithadbeenmorethanabluelineofdistantvapourthathadfilleduptheopening。Icouldonlybecertainofthismuch，namely，thattheriverinthevalleybelowmustbetheonenexttothenorthwardofthatwhichflowedpastmymaster’sstation；ofthistherecouldbenodoubt。CouldI，however，imaginethatmyluckshouldhaveledmeupawrongriverinsearchofapass，andyetbroughtmetothespotwhereI

coulddetecttheoneweakplaceinthefortificationsofamorenorthernbasin？Thiswastooimprobable。ButevenasIdoubtedtherecamearentinthecloudopposite，andasecondtimeIsawbluelinesofheavingdowns，growinggraduallyfainter，andretiringintoafarspaceofplain。Itwassubstantial；therehadbeennomistakewhatsoever。Ihadhardlymademyselfperfectlysureofthis，eretherentinthecloudsjoinedupagainandI

couldseenothingmore。

What，then，shouldIdo？Thenightwouldbeuponmeshortly，andI

wasalreadychilledwithstandingstillaftertheexertionofclimbing。TostaywhereIwaswouldbeimpossible；Imusteithergobackwardsorforwards。Ifoundarockwhichgavemeshelterfromtheeveningwind，andtookagoodpullatthebrandyflask，whichimmediatelywarmedandencouragedme。

Iaskedmyself，CouldIdescendupontheriver-bedbeneathme？Itwasimpossibletosaywhatprecipicesmightpreventmydoingso。

IfIwereontheriver-bed，dareIcrosstheriver？Iamanexcellentswimmer，yet，onceinthatfrightfulrushofwaters，I

shouldbehurledwhithersoeveritwilled，absolutelypowerless。

Moreover，therewasmyswag；IshouldperishofcoldandhungerifIleftit，butIshouldcertainlybedrownedifIattemptedtocarryitacrosstheriver。Thesewereseriousconsiderations，butthehopeoffindinganimmensetractofavailablesheepcountry(whichIwasdeterminedthatIwouldmonopoliseasfarasI

possiblycould)sufficedtooutweighthem；and，inafewminutes，I

feltresolvedthat，havingmadesoimportantadiscoveryasapassintoacountrywhichwasprobablyasvaluableasthatonourownsideoftheranges，Iwouldfollowitupandascertainitsvalue，eventhoughIshouldpaythepenaltyoffailurewithlifeitself。

ThemoreIthought，themoredeterminedIbecameeithertowinfameandperhapsfortune，byenteringuponthisunknownworld，orgiveuplifeintheattempt。Infact，IfeltthatlifewouldbenolongervaluableifIweretohaveseensogreataprizeandrefusedtograspatthepossibleprofitstherefrom。

IhadstillanhourofgooddaylightduringwhichImightbeginmydescentontosomesuitablecamping-ground，buttherewasnotamomenttobelost。AtfirstIgotalongrapidly，forIwasonthesnow，andsankintoitenoughtosavemefromfalling，thoughI

wentforwardstraightdownthemountainsideasfastasIcould；

buttherewaslesssnowonthissidethanontheother，andIhadsoondonewithit，gettingontoacoombofdangerousandverystonyground，whereaslipmighthavegivenmeadisastrousfall。

ButIwascarefulwithallmyspeed，andgotsafelytothebottom，wheretherewerepatchesofcoarsegrass，andanattempthereandthereatbrushwood：whatwasbelowthisIcouldnotsee。I

advancedafewhundredyardsfarther，andfoundthatIwasonthebrinkofafrightfulprecipice，whichnooneinhissenseswouldattemptdescending。Ibethoughtme，however，totrythecreekwhichdrainedthecoomb，andseewhetheritmightnothavemadeitselfasmootherway。InafewminutesIfoundmyselfattheupperendofachasmintherocks，somethinglikeTwllDhu，onlyonagreatlylargerscale；thecreekhadfounditswayintoit，andhadwornadeepchannelthroughamaterialwhichappearedsofterthanthatupontheothersideofthemountain。Ibelieveitmusthavebeenadifferentgeologicalformation，thoughIregrettosaythatIcannottellwhatitwas。

Ilookedatthisriftingreatdoubt；thenIwentalittlewayoneithersideofit，andfoundmyselflookingovertheedgeofhorribleprecipicesontotheriver，whichroaredsomefourorfivethousandfeetbelowme。Idarednotthinkofgettingdownatall，unlessIcommittedmyselftotherift，ofwhichIwashopefulwhenIreflectedthattherockwassoft，andthatthewatermighthavewornitschanneltolerablyevenlythroughthewholeextent。Thedarknesswasincreasingwitheveryminute，butIshouldhavetwilightforanotherhalf-hour，soIwentintothechasm(thoughbynomeanswithoutfear)，andresolvedtoreturnandcamp，andtrysomeotherpathnextday，shouldIcometoanyseriousdifficulty。

InaboutfiveminutesIhadcompletelylostmyhead；thesideoftheriftbecamehundredsoffeetinheight，andoverhungsothatI

couldnotseethesky。Itwasfullofrocks，andIhadmanyfallsandbruises。Iwaswetthroughfromfallingintothewater，ofwhichtherewasnogreatvolume，butithadsuchforcethatIcoulddonothingagainstit；onceIhadtoleapdownanotinconsiderablewaterfallintoadeeppoolbelow，andmyswagwassoheavythatI

wasverynearlydrowned。Ihadindeedahair’s-breadthescape；

but，asluckwouldhaveit，Providencewasonmyside。ShortlyafterwardsIbegantofancythattheriftwasgettingwider，andthattherewasmorebrushwood。PresentlyIfoundmyselfonanopengrassyslope，andfeelingmywayalittlefartheralongthestream，Icameuponaflatplacewithwood，whereIcouldcampcomfortably；

whichwaswell，foritwasnowquitedark。

Myfirstcarewasformymatches；weretheydry？Theoutsideofmyswaghadgotcompletelywet；but，onundoingtheblankets，Ifoundthingswarmanddrywithin。HowthankfulIwas！Ilitafire，andwasgratefulforitswarmthandcompany。Imademyselfsometeaandatetwoofmybiscuits：mybrandyIdidnottouch，forIhadlittleleft，andmightwantitwhenmycouragefailedme。AllthatIdid，Ididalmostmechanically，forIcouldnotrealisemysituationtomyself，beyondknowingthatIwasalone，andthatreturnthroughthechasmwhichIhadjustdescendedwouldbeimpossible。Itisadreadfulfeelingthatofbeingcutofffromallone’skind。Iwasstillfullofhope，andbuiltgoldencastlesformyselfassoonasIwaswarmedwithfoodandfire；butIdonotbelievethatanymancouldlongretainhisreasoninsuchsolitude，unlesshehadthecompanionshipofanimals。Onebeginsdoubtingone’sownidentity。

Irememberderivingcomfortevenfromthesightofmyblankets，andthesoundofmywatchticking——thingswhichseemedtolinkmetootherpeople；butthescreamingofthewood-hensfrightenedme，asalsoachatteringbirdwhichIhadneverheardbefore，andwhichseemedtolaughatme；thoughIsoongotusedtoit，andbeforelongcouldfancythatitwasmanyyearssinceIhadfirstheardit。

Itookoffmyclothes，andwrappedmyinsideblanketaboutme，tillmythingsweredry。Thenightwasverystill，andImadearoaringfire；soIsoongotwarm，andatlastcouldputmyclothesonagain。ThenIstrappedmyblanketroundme，andwenttosleepasnearthefireasIcould。

Idreamedthattherewasanorganplacedinmymaster’swool-shed：

thewool-shedfadedaway，andtheorganseemedtogrowandgrowamidablazeofbrilliantlight，tillitbecamelikeagoldencityuponthesideofamountain，withrowsuponrowsofpipessetincliffsandprecipices，oneabovetheother，andinmysteriouscaverns，likethatofFingal，withinwhosedepthsIcouldseetheburnishedpillarsgleaming。Inthefronttherewasaflightofloftyterraces，atthetopofwhichIcouldseeamanwithhisheadburiedforwardtowardsakey-board，andhisbodyswayingfromsidetosideamidthestormofhugearpeggioedharmoniesthatcamecrashingoverheadandround。Thentherewasonewhotouchedmeontheshoulder，andsaid，“Doyounotsee？itisHandel“；——butIhadhardlyapprehended，andwastryingtoscaletheterraces，andgetnearhim，whenIawoke，dazzledwiththevividnessanddistinctnessofthedream。

Apieceofwoodhadburnedthrough，andtheendshadfallenintotheasheswithablaze：this，Isupposed，hadbothgivenmemydreamandrobbedmeofit。Iwasbitterlydisappointed，andsittinguponmyelbow，camebacktorealityandmystrangesurroundingsasbestIcould。

Iwasthoroughlyaroused——moreover，Ifeltaforeshadowingasthoughmyattentionwerearrestedbysomethingmorethanthedream，althoughnosenseinparticularwasasyetappealedto。Iheldmybreathandwaited，andthenIheard——wasitfancy？Nay；Ilistenedagainandagain，andIDIDhearafaintandextremelydistantsoundofmusic，likethatofanAEolianharp，borneuponthewindwhichwasblowingfreshandchillfromtheoppositemountains。

Therootsofmyhairthrilled。Ilistened，butthewindhaddied；

and，fancyingthatitmusthavebeenthewinditself——no；onasuddenIrememberedthenoisewhichChowbokhadmadeinthewool-

shed。Yes；itwasthat。

ThankHeaven，whateveritwas，itwasovernow。Ireasonedwithmyself，andrecoveredmyfirmness。IbecameconvincedthatIhadonlybeendreamingmorevividlythanusual。SoonIbeganeventolaugh，andthinkwhatafoolIwastobefrightenedatnothing，remindingmyselfthatevenifIweretocometoabadenditwouldbenosuchdreadfulmatterafterall。Isaidmyprayers，adutywhichIhadtoooftenneglected，andinalittletimefellintoareallyrefreshingsleep，whichlastedtillbroaddaylight，andrestoredme。Irose，andsearchingamongtheembersofmyfire，I

foundafewlivecoalsandsoonhadablazeagain。Igotbreakfast，andwasdelightedtohavethecompanyofseveralsmallbirds，whichhoppedaboutmeandperchedonmybootsandhands。I

feltcomparativelyhappy，butIcanassurethereaderthatIhadhadafarworsetimeofitthanIhavetoldhim；andIstronglyrecommendhimtoremaininEuropeifhecan；or，atanyrate，insomecountrywhichhasbeenexploredandsettled，ratherthangointoplaceswhereothershavenotbeenbeforehim。Exploringisdelightfultolookforwardtoandbackupon，butitisnotcomfortableatthetime，unlessitbeofsuchaneasynatureasnottodeservethename。

CHAPTERV：THERIVERANDTHERANGE

Mynextbusinesswastodescendupontheriver。IhadlostsightofthepasswhichIhadseenfromthesaddle，buthadmadesuchnotesofitthatIcouldnotfailtofindit。Iwasbruisedandstiff，andmybootshadbeguntogive，forIhadbeengoingonroughgroundformorethanthreeweeks；but，asthedayworeon，andIfoundmyselfdescendingwithoutseriousdifficulty，Ibecameeasier。InacoupleofhoursIgotamongpineforestswheretherewaslittleundergrowth，anddescendedquicklytillIreachedtheedgeofanotherprecipice，whichgavemeagreatdealoftrouble，thoughIeventuallymanagedtoavoidit。Byaboutthreeorfouro’clockIfoundmyselfontheriver-bed。

FromcalculationswhichImadeastotheheightofthevalleyontheothersidethesaddleoverwhichIhadcome，Iconcludedthatthesaddleitselfcouldnotbelessthanninethousandfeethigh；

andIshouldthinkthattheriver-bed，ontowhichInowdescended，wasthreethousandfeetabovethesea-level。Thewaterhadaterrificcurrent，withafallofnotlessthanfortytofiftyfeetpermile。Itwascertainlytherivernexttothenorthwardofthatwhichflowedpastmymaster’srun，andwouldhavetogothroughanimpassablegorge(asiscommonlythecasewiththeriversofthatcountry)beforeitcameuponknownparts。Itwasreckonedtobenearlytwothousandfeetabovethesea-levelwhereitcameoutofthegorgeontotheplains。

AssoonasIgottotheriversideIlikeditevenlessthanI

thoughtIshould。Itwasmuddy，beingnearitsparentglaciers。

Thestreamwaswide，rapid，andrough，andIcouldhearthesmallerstonesknockingagainsteachotherundertherageofthewaters，asuponaseashore。Fordingwasoutofthequestion。Icouldnotswimandcarrymyswag，andIdarednotleavemyswagbehindme。

Myonlychancewastomakeasmallraft；andthatwouldbedifficulttomake，andnotatallsafewhenitwasmade，——notforonemaninsuchacurrent。

Asitwastoolatetodomuchthatafternoon，Ispenttherestofitingoingupanddowntheriverside，andseeingwhereIshouldfindthemostfavourablecrossing。ThenIcampedearly，andhadaquietcomfortablenightwithnomoremusic，forwhichIwasthankful，asithadhauntedmeallday，althoughIperfectlywellknewthatithadbeennothingbutmyownfancy，broughtonbythereminiscenceofwhatIhadheardfromChowbokandbytheover-

excitementoftheprecedingevening。

NextdayIbegangatheringthedrybloomstalksofakindofflagoriris-lookingplant，whichwasabundant，andwhoseleaves，whentornintostrips，wereasstrongasthestrongeststring。I

broughtthemtothewaterside，andfelltomakingmyselfakindofroughplatform，whichshouldsufficeformyselfandmyswagifI

couldonlysticktoit。Thestalksweretenortwelvefeetlong，andverystrong，butlightandhollow。Imademyraftentirelyofthem，bindingbundlesofthematrightanglestoeachother，neatlyandstrongly，withstripsfromtheleavesofthesameplant，andtyingotherrodsacross。Ittookmealldaytillnearlyfouro’clocktofinishtheraft，butIhadstillenoughdaylightforcrossing，andresolvedondoingsoatonce。

Ihadselectedaplacewheretheriverwasbroadandcomparativelystill，someseventyoreightyyardsaboveafuriousrapid。AtthisspotIhadbuiltmyraft。Inowlaunchedit，mademyswagfasttothemiddle，andgotontoitmyself，keepinginmyhandoneofthelongestblossomstalks，sothatImightpuntmyselfacrossaslongasthewaterwasshallowenoughtoletmedoso。Igotonprettywellfortwentyorthirtyyardsfromtheshore，buteveninthisshortspaceInearlyupsetmyraftbyshiftingtoorapidlyfromonesidetotheother。Thewaterthenbecamemuchdeeper，andIleanedoversofarinordertogetthebloomrodtothebottomthatIhadtostaystill，leaningontherodforafewseconds。Then，whenI

lifteduptherodfromtheground，thecurrentwastoomuchformeandIfoundmyselfbeingcarrieddowntherapid。Everythinginasecondflewpastme，andIhadnomorecontrolovertheraft；

neithercanIrememberanythingexcepthurry，andnoise，andwaterswhichintheendupsetme。Butitallcameright，andIfoundmyselfneartheshore，notmorethanuptomykneesinwaterandpullingmyrafttoland，fortunatelyupontheleftbankoftheriver，whichwastheoneIwanted。WhenIhadlandedIfoundthatIwasaboutamile，orperhapsalittleless，belowthepointfromwhichIstarted。Myswagwaswetupontheoutside，andIwasmyselfdripping；butIhadgainedmypoint，andknewthatmydifficultieswereforatimeover。Ithenlitmyfireanddriedmyself；havingdonesoIcaughtsomeoftheyoungducksandsea-

gulls，whichwereabundantonandneartheriver-bed，sothatIhadnotonlyagoodmeal，ofwhichIwasingreatwant，havinghadaninsufficientdietfromthetimethatChowbokleftme，butwasalsowellprovidedforthemorrow。

IthoughtofChowbok，andfelthowusefulhehadbeentome，andinhowmanywaysIwastheloserbyhisabsence，havingnowtodoallsortsofthingsformyselfwhichhehadhithertodoneforme，andcoulddoinfinitelybetterthanIcould。Moreover，IhadsetmyheartuponmakinghimarealconverttotheChristianreligion，whichhehadalreadyembracedoutwardly，thoughIcannotthinkthatithadtakendeeprootinhisimpenetrablystupidnature。Iusedtocatechisehimbyourcampfire，andexplaintohimthemysteriesoftheTrinityandoforiginalsin，withwhichIwasmyselffamiliar，havingbeenthegrandsonofanarchdeaconbymymother’sside，tosaynothingofthefactthatmyfatherwasaclergymanoftheEnglishChurch。Iwasthereforesufficientlyqualifiedforthetask，andwasthemoreinclinedtoit，overandabovemyrealdesiretosavetheunhappycreaturefromaneternityoftorture，byrecollectingthepromiseofSt。James，thatifanyoneconvertedasinner(whichChowboksurelywas)heshouldhideamultitudeofsins。Ireflected，therefore，thattheconversionofChowbokmightinsomedegreecompensateforirregularitiesandshort-comingsinmyownpreviouslife，theremembranceofwhichhadbeenmorethanonceunpleasanttomeduringmyrecentexperiences。

Indeed，ononeoccasionIhadevengonesofarastobaptizehim，aswellasIcould，havingascertainedthathehadcertainlynotbeenbothchristenedandbaptized，andgathering(fromhistellingmethathehadreceivedthenameWilliamfromthemissionary)thatitwasprobablythefirst-mentionedritetowhichhehadbeensubjected。Ithoughtitgreatcarelessnessonthepartofthemissionarytohaveomittedthesecond，andcertainlymoreimportant，ceremonywhichIhavealwaysunderstoodprecedeschristeningbothinthecaseofinfantsandofadultconverts；andwhenIthoughtoftheriskswewerebothincurringIdeterminedthatthereshouldbenofurtherdelay。Fortunatelyitwasnotyettwelveo’clock，soIbaptizedhimatoncefromoneofthepannikins(theonlyvesselsIhad)reverently，and，Itrust，efficiently。I

thensetmyselftoworktoinstructhiminthedeepermysteriesofourbelief，andtomakehim，notonlyinname，butinheartaChristian。

ItistruethatImightnothavesucceeded，forChowbokwasveryhardtoteach。Indeed，ontheeveningofthesamedaythatI

baptizedhimhetriedforthetwentiethtimetostealthebrandy，whichmademeratherunhappyastowhetherIcouldhavebaptizedhimrightly。Hehadaprayer-book——morethantwentyyearsold——

whichhadbeengivenhimbythemissionaries，buttheonlythinginitwhichhadtakenanylivingholduponhimwasthetitleofAdelaidetheQueenDowager，whichhewouldrepeatwheneverstronglymovedortouched，andwhichdidreallyseemtohavesomedeepspiritualsignificancetohim，thoughhecouldnevercompletelyseparateherindividualityfromthatofMaryMagdalene，whosenamehadalsofascinatedhim，thoughinalessdegree。

Hewasindeedstonyground，butbydiggingabouthimImighthaveatanyratedeprivedhimofallfaithinthereligionofhistribe，whichwouldhavebeenhalfwaytowardsmakinghimasincereChristian；andnowallthiswascutofffromme，andIcouldneitherbeoffurtherspiritualassistancetohimnorheofbodilyprofittomyself：besides，anycompanywasbetterthanbeingquitealone。

Igotverymelancholyasthesereflectionscrossedme，butwhenI

hadboiledtheducksandeatenthemIwasmuchbetter。Ihadalittletealeftandaboutapoundoftobacco，whichshouldlastmeforanotherfortnightwithmoderatesmoking。Ihadalsoeightshipbiscuits，and，mostpreciousofall，aboutsixouncesofbrandy，whichIpresentlyreducedtofour，forthenightwascold。

Irosewithearlydawn，andinanhourIwasonmyway，feelingstrange，nottosayweak，fromtheburdenofsolitude，butfullofhopewhenIconsideredhowmanydangersIhadovercome，andthatthisdayshouldseemeatthesummitofthedividingrange。

Afteraslowbutsteadyclimbofbetweenthreeandfourhours，duringwhichImetwithnoserioushindrance，Ifoundmyselfuponatableland，andclosetoaglacierwhichIrecognisedasmarkingthesummitofthepass。Aboveittoweredasuccessionofruggedprecipicesandsnowymountainsides。ThesolitudewasgreaterthanIcouldbear；themountainuponmymaster’ssheep-runwasacrowdedthoroughfareincomparisonwiththissombresullenplace。Theair，moreover，wasdarkandheavy，whichmadethelonelinessevenmoreoppressive。Therewasaninkygloomoverallthatwasnotcoveredwithsnowandice。Grasstherewasnone。

EachmomentIfeltincreasinguponmethatdreadfuldoubtastomyownidentity——astothecontinuityofmypastandpresentexistence——whichisthefirstsignofthatdistractionwhichcomesonthosewhohavelostthemselvesinthebush。Ihadfoughtagainstthisfeelinghitherto，andhadconqueredit；buttheintensesilenceandgloomofthisrockywildernessweretoomuchforme，andIfeltthatmypowerofcollectingmyselfwasbeginningtobeimpaired。

Irestedforalittlewhile，andthenadvancedoververyroughground，untilIreachedthelowerendoftheglacier。ThenIsawanotherglacier，descendingfromtheeasternsideintoasmalllake。Ipassedalongthewesternsideofthelake，wherethegroundwaseasier，andwhenIhadgotabouthalfwayIexpectedthatIshouldseetheplainswhichIhadalreadyseenfromtheoppositemountains；butitwasnottobeso，forthecloudsrolleduptotheverysummitofthepass，thoughtheydidnotoverlipitontothesidefromwhichIhadcome。Ithereforesoonfoundmyselfenshroudedbyacoldthinvapour，whichpreventedmyseeingmorethanaveryfewyardsinfrontofme。ThenIcameuponalargepatchofoldsnow，inwhichIcoulddistinctlytracethehalf-meltedtracksofgoats——andinoneplace，asitseemedtome，therehadbeenadogfollowingthem。HadIlighteduponalandofshepherds？Theground，wherenotcoveredwithsnow，wassopoorandstony，andtherewassolittleherbage，thatIcouldseenosignofapathorregularsheep-track。ButIcouldnothelpfeelingratheruneasyasIwonderedwhatsortofareceptionI

mightmeetwithifIweretocomesuddenlyuponinhabitants。Iwasthinkingofthis，andproceedingcautiouslythroughthemist，whenIbegantofancythatIsawsomeobjectsdarkerthanthecloudloominginfrontofme。Afewstepsbroughtmenearer，andashudderofunutterablehorrorranthroughmewhenIsawacircleofgiganticforms，manytimeshigherthanmyself，upstandinggrimandgreythroughtheveilofcloudbeforeme。

IsupposeImusthavefainted，forIfoundmyselfsometimeafterwardssittingupontheground，sickanddeadlycold。Therewerethefigures，quitestillandsilent，seenvaguelythroughthethickgloom，butinhumanshapeindisputably。