in addition to the season being favorable, but in Winter,
from May to October, such an ascent would have been impracticable.
The intense cold quickly kills travelers, and those who even manage
to hold out against it fall victims to the violence of the TEMPORALES,
a sort of hurricane peculiar to those regions, which yearly fills
the abysses of the Cordilleras with dead bodies.

They went on toiling steadily upward all night, hoisting themselves
up to almost inaccessible plateaux, and leaping over broad,
deep crevasses. They had no ropes, but arms linked in arms
supplied the lack, and shoulders served for ladders. The strength
of Mulrady and the dexterity of Wilson were taxed heavily now.
These two brave Scots multiplied themselves, so to speak.
Many a time, but for their devotion and courage the small band could
not have gone on. Glenarvan never lost sight of young Robert,
for his age and vivacity made him imprudent. Paganel was a true
Frenchman in his impetuous ardor, and hurried furiously along.
The Major, on the contrary, only went as quick as was necessary,
neither more nor less, climbing without the least apparent exertion.
Perhaps he hardly knew, indeed, that he was climbing at all,
or perhaps he fancied he was descending.

The whole aspect of the region had now completely changed. Huge blocks
of glittering ice, of a bluish tint on some of the declivities,
stood up on all sides, reflecting the early light of morn.
The ascent became very perilous. They were obliged to reconnoiter
carefully before making a single step, on account of the crevasses.
Wilson took the lead, and tried the ground with his feet.
His companions followed exactly in his footprints, lowering their voices
to a whisper, as the least sound would disturb the currents of air,