THE ALBATROSS.


Being a fine morning, I determined to ascend the mountain. As several
parties had before gone up, they had formed a kind of path: at least we
endeavoured to trace the same way; but it requires a great deal of nerve
to attempt it. The sides of the mountain are nearly perpendicular; but,
after ascending about two hundred feet, it is there entirely covered
with wood, which renders the footing much more safe; but in order to
get to the wood, the road is so dangerous, that it made me almost
tremble to think of it,--slippery grey rocks, and many of them
unfortunately loose, so that when we took hold, they separated from the
mass, and fell with a horrid rumbling noise. Here and there were a few
patches of grass, the only thing we could depend upon to assist us in
climbing, which must be done with extreme caution, for the least slip or
false step would dash one to atoms on the rocks below. By keeping our
eyes constantly looking upwards, and continuing to haul ourselves up, by
catching firm hold on this grass, after an hour's painful toil we gained
the summit, where we found ourselves on an extended plain, of several
miles expanse, which terminates in the peak, composed of dark grey lava,
bare and frightful to behold. We proceeded towards it, the plain
gradually rising, but the walking was most fatiguing, over strong rank
grass and fern several feet high, with holes concealed under the roots
in such a way, that no possible caution could prevent our occasionally
falling down into one or other of them, and entirely disappearing, which
caused a boisterous laugh amongst the rest; but it frequently happened,
while one was making merry at the expense of another, down sunk the