though rather warm, and we all quenched our thirst from these
natural jugs. Farther on we came to forest again, but of a more
dwarf and stunted character than below; and alternately passing
along ridges and descending into valleys, we reached a peak
separated from the true summit of the mountain by a considerable
chasm. Here our porters gave in, and declared they could carry
their loads no further; and certainly the ascent to the highest
peak was very precipitous. But on the spot where we were there
was no water, whereas it was well known that there was a spring
close to the summit, so we determined to go on without them, and
carry with us only what was absolutely necessary. We accordingly
took a blanket each, and divided our food and other articles
among us, and went on with only the old Malay and his son.

After descending into the saddle between the two peaks we found
the ascent very laborious, the slope being so steep, as often to
necessitate hand-climbing. Besides a bushy vegetation the ground
was covered knee-deep with mosses on a foundation of decaying
leaves and rugged rock, and it was a hard hour's climb to the
small ledge just below the summit, where an overhanging rock
forms a convenient shelter, and a little basin collects the
trickling water. Here we put down our loads, and in a few minutes
more stood on the summit of Mount Ophir, 4,000 feet above the
sea. The top is a small rocky platform covered with rhododendrons
and other shrubs. The afternoon was clear, and the view fine in
its way--ranges of hill and valley everywhere covered with
interminable forest, with glistening rivers winding among them.

In a distant view a forest country is very monotonous, and no
mountain I have ever ascended in the tropics presents a panorama