The tremendous smoke-clouds rolled all about on every side, enveloping me in their dense folds, and shutting every thing from view.

I heard the cry of the asses of guides, who were howling where I left them below, and were crying to me to come back--the infernal idiots! The smoke was impenetrable; so I got down on my hands and knees and groped about.

I was on her track, and knew she could not be far away.

I could not spend more than five minutes there, for my felt hat would not assist me any longer.

About two minutes had already passed.