where he proposed to spend the summer. Morton's extreme impatience to reach England obliged them to hurry their journey, and travel day and night, until they reached the foot of the Pass. Here they were compelled to remain during the night; next morning the landlord of the wretched little inn assured them they ought not to attempt ascending the Pass for some days to come, the recent heavy rains having so loosened the ridges of the mountains as to render them unsafe; a landslip might take place at any moment.

"Nonsense! All humbug!" replied Morton; and then addressing the man in Italian, he told him it was only his traffic to persuade travellers for his own interest, and ordered their travelling carriage instantly.

"Pray, Raymond, are you gulled? you look quite cowardly," said Morton, angrily turning to Herbert.

"I think there is much truth in what the man says. I know by experience he only testifies to facts. But you can do as you please; I am at your service,” replied Raymond.

"If I might be excused the liberty, sir, it is a plain tempting of Providence," said Raymond's servant, a grave, quiet man, whose voice was seldom heard, except when absolutely necessary.

"You're a fool! Providence! Have done with

your cant!" replied Morton, furiously. "I am resolved no power shall prevent me ascending;" and then, in an oath of the most fearful words, he defied the power of God or man to prevent his doing as he pleased.

Raymond turned from him, with the feeling of the most intense disgust and abhorrence at his awful language.

The carriage was ordered, and the travellers once

more started on their journey. It was a dreadful morning; thunder rolled for minutes at a time through the mountains, which re-echoed the sound again and again; while occasional flashes of lightning added to the terrific grandeur of the scenes of wild magnificence through which they passed. The water soon began to pour in through the badly-built carriage (all they could obtain), and their whole attention was directed to devising means for making it waterproof. By and by the rain suddenly changed to snow, which fell in large flakes around them, while occasional peals of thunder still rumbled, at lengthened intervals, through the mountains.

"It really is a dreadful day! I cannot help thinking, Morton, you would have done better to remain at wretched as the place was," said

Raymond.

"All very well for you tell me so. You, who roll in wealth, and have no interest in travelling quickly; a few thousands lost to me make all the difference," replied Morton, bitterly.

"Well! I only hope we may reach our destination in safety, that's all," returned Raymond.

But he had hardly spoken before the carriage stopped, and the driver appeared at the window.

"What do you want now, man?" said Morton, opening the window.

The man informed them, in a mixture of bad Italian and French, that there was an obstruction on the road; and that, unless all assisted in clearing the stones away that had fallen into it, he could not proceed. Reluctantly the gentlemen alighted, and began to assist in making a passage for the carriage.

In a moment there was a terrific sound, as of the loudest thunder-clap. Then came a crash! a stunning

roar! Water, rocks, and trees were swept down in overwhelming force. There was no time for even an exclamation, the avalanche was upon them. Stunned by the overwhelming violence of the shock, Raymond fell to the ground. In a few moments the feeling of giddiness had passed, and he was enabled to comprehend his situation to some extent. He had fallen near the edge of the road; beneath him yawned a frightful precipice, into which had been hurled large pieces of stone, and water was dashing wildly almost close to him. Above him a huge fragment of rock had fallen, only within a few inches of where he lay. What a fearful scene was presented to his view when, after extricating himself from the mass of mud around him, he regained his feet! The vengeance of an offended Creator, whose power had been blasphemously defied, had made it known that "He is God." Raymond stood in agonised silence for a few moments, too much overwhelmed in the wreck and ruin around him to think clearly. The road was smashed to pieces. Large masses of stone lay here and there, and again he saw the one beneath which he had been sheltered,-preserved as it were by a miracle. This was the hand of God-Raymond owned it. He believed now in his Maker, never more to doubt. But his companions? the carriage? horses? Not a trace of them appeared; they were buried beneath the heap of earth which had fallen over them. Fearful thought! Herbert raised his eyes, as if asking the mountain where they were. But the mountain answered not. It looked down in cold majesty on the desolation it had made, without showing a trace of the masses which had fallen from its summit. All looked calm, cold, and drear above, while the snow still fell in small flakes, at times almost blinding him.

Herbert was roused. It was no time for thought. Something must be done,-the sufferers might yet live. No help was at hand, he alone must search for them. The nearest village was the one they had quitted, and it would take an hour to reach it. They might be dead before then. He lost no time in taking. a careful survey of the whole extent of the damage done; and at some little distance from where he himself had fallen he happily discovered Brightson, his ser→ vant. He had been stunned, though but slightly hurt, and was just extricating himself from the masses of mud and stones around him. Herbert rendered him prompt assistance. The man seemed bewildered on rising; but quickly recovering, he grasped his master's hand.

"Thank God you are safe, dear sir!" he exclaimed, while tears of gratitude gushed to his eyes.

66 'Ah, indeed we must! To Him be all the praise! But do not lose a moment; help me to find the others. Do you know where they were at the time of the fall?" exclaimed Raymond.

"Not far from here, sir. Mr. Morton was close by me, and the driver near him.”

"Then assist me to clear away."

Fortunately the welcome tramp of some men was heard just then,-persons who are appointed to be in readiness when any landslip or avalanche is expected, to repair the roads without delay. Their tools were soon in requisition to discover the two unfortunate men buried beneath. Morton was soon found, frightfully crushed in body, beyond all hope of his life being spared; but his face and head remained uninjured. He was quite insensible, and they laid him gently down on the turf, while Raymond supported his head and wiped the cold dews from his brow, and tried to

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ETHEL; OR, WOMAN'S MINISTRY,

force a little brandy down his throat. The driver was for some time lost to their efforts, but at length his mangled remains were discovered, perfectly dead, A sharp stone had entered the head, touching the brain and causing instant death. The four horses, too, had all been killed.

A litter was quickly constructed of the largest remaining part of the broken carriage, on which the unfortunate Morton was laid, and followed by Raymond and his servant, they descended to the hôtel they had but a short time before quitted.

END OF VOL. I.

LONDON:

Printed by G. BARCLAY, Castle St. Leicester Sq.