Then we wrapped ourselves up in our thick rugs and fur garments and forgot our miseries in sleep.
It cannot have been long before daylight when we were awakened by a sudden and terrific sound like the boom of a great cannon, followed by thousands of other sounds, which might be compared to the fusillade of musketry.
"Great Heaven! What is that ?" I said.
We crawled from the tent, but as yet could see nothing, whilst the yak began to low in a terrified manner.

But if we could not see we could hear and feel.

The booming and cracking had ceased, and was followed by a soft, grinding noise, the most sickening sound, I think, to which I ever listened.

This was accompanied by a strange, steady, unnatural wind, which seemed to press upon us as water presses.

Then the dawn broke and we saw.
The mountain-side was moving down upon us in a vast avalanche of snow.
Oh! what a sight was that.