It was a painful feeling to see so much, and behold nothing but a stony desert, an immeasurable chaos.
There were still two declivities before us,--the last, but the worst.

We had to climb steep masses of lava, sharp and pointed, which covered the whole side of the mountain.

I do not know how often I fell and cut my hands on the jagged points of the lava.

It was a fearful journey! The dazzling whiteness of the snow contrasted with the bright black lava beside it had an almost blinding effect.

When crossing fields of snow I did not look at the lava; for having tried to do so once or twice, I could not see my way afterwards, and had nearly grown snow-blind.
[Picture: Hecla] After two hours' more labour we reached the summit of the mountain.