How well I remember one expedition, when F----, who had been hammering away in a shed all the morning, came to find me sitting in the sun in the verandah, and to inform me that at last he had perfected a conveyance which would combine speed with safety.

Undaunted by previous mishaps, I sallied forth, and in company with Mr.U---- and F----, climbed painfully up the high hill I have mentioned, by some steps which they had cut in the frozen snow.

Without some such help we could not have kept our footing for a moment, and as long as I live I shall never forget the sensation of leaving my friendly Alpenstock planted in the snow, and of seating myself on that frail sledge.

Perhaps I ought to describe it here.

A board, about six feet long by one foot broad, with sheet-iron nailed beneath it, and curved upwards in front; on its upper surface a couple of battens were fixed, one quite at the foremost end, and one half-way.