We had reached the base of the great snow mountain.
It seems strange with the mass of snow resting above, and which must be continually thawing more or less, no ravines or large streams of water were produced flowing down this side.

It seemed dry all around its base, which is is very singular, with the snow so near.
We had now our barren canon to go down, and right here was the big trail coming down from the north, which we took and followed.

We said all these good things about the road, and encouraged the people all we could to keep in good spirits and keep moving.

We told them we thought we knew how to manage to get them safe over the road if they only fully endeavored to do it.

We were all quite young, and not in the decline of life as were most of them who had perished by the way.