A MAGNIFICENT SCENE. 229

trot, the eyes of the guides being intently fixed on
something evidently in or near the river. One of
the men now asked Mr Stanley if he saw a dark
speck at the foot of the left-hand precipice; and
being answered in the affirmative,

‘‘ Monsieur,” said he, “the waters are rising
rapidly by the increased melting of the snows; and
if that dark stone is covered when we reach the
fissure, our passage through the torrent will be
hazardous, if not impracticable.”

From that instant the fragment was eagerly
watched ; but instead of becoming more marked
and visible as 11 was more nearly approached, it
diminished in size, and, notwithstanding every
effort to urge on the horses, it soon dwindled to a
speck, and was almost immediately after entirely
lost under the ripple of white foam which broke
over its highest point.

“Tt is all over,” exclaimed the guides; and they
reined in their panting horses. Alighting from
his animal, Mr Stanley proceeded, in despair, to
attempt securing, in a sketch, a reminiscence of
the magnificent scene before him.

While thus engaged, he observed the two men
in earnest conversation, walking to and fro, now
looking back on the road they had travelled, and
then casting their eyes towards the right; the
only words he could distinctly hear—tor they were