of a somewhat bare and stony hill dotted with a few gentians.  The view improved with nearly every step, growing magnificently vast; and when at length we reached the summit, or rather a mound a few feet lower, but equally good as a point of sight (for the summit was covered with snow), we gazed on as grand an expanse of mountains and tree-clothed valleys as imagination could picture in the most lofty of its lofty flights.

[Illustration:  ON THE ROAD TO SUPERBAGNERES.]

Probably but few people will be disposed to deny that, considering the comparatively small amount of labour necessary to attain the summit, it is more than amply compensated for; and, when the height of Superbagneres—­which is only 5,900 ft.—­is taken into account, such a grand sight is almost unique.  For over two-thirds of a circle the chain of peaks continues, extending from the Cecire of Superbagneres to the Cecire [Footnote 1:  We have only the guide’s authority for this name here.] above Bosost, and even beyond.  Beginning with the nearest, the Cecire (8,025 ft.) of Superbagneres, then come the Pene de Montarque (9685 ft.), and the cone-shaped Quairat (10,037 ft.), followed by the huge glacier of Crabioules, which, in spite of its eternal snow, supplies the various cascades in the Rue d’Enfer that flow into the Lys valley.  Above rise up the Pic de Crabioules (10,233 ft), the Pic de Bourn (9,875 ft), and the peculiar Tuc de Maupas (10,204 ft.); after which the Trous d’Enfer and the Pic de Sacroux (8,786 ft) appear.  The next of the near peaks is the Pic de Sauvegarde (9,145 ft), but between the Sacroux and this, calm and clear, the highest peaks of the range, the Milieu, the Maladetta, and the Nethou, with the dead white glacier below them, rise in view.  After the Sauvegarde, the Pic de la Mine (9,048 ft.), the Port de Venasque (7,930 ft.), and the very pointed Pic de la Pique (7,854 ft.) appear, followed by the Pas de l’Escalette (7,877 ft.) and the Port de la Picade (8,219 ft.), towards which group the Vallee de l’Hospice leads.

To the left of the Picade, the cone of the lofty “Posets” may be seen in the distance, while more to the left, and more distant too, the Pena Blanca (9222 ft.) is also visible.  Further round, over the wooded “cols” that guard the “Pique” valley, the Mont Segu [Footnote:  We have only the guide’s authority for the name.] and Cecire near Bosost, and the Pyrenees Orientales beyond, finished the magnificent chain.  From another situation we could look down on Luchon and from this point were endeavouring to reach the little hut, where fodder and a few provisions can be found in the season, when an ancient shepherd bawled out in patois that the place was as yet tenantless, for which we felt thankful to that peasant, as it saved us a long tramp through rather deep snow, though for that same reason we were unable to reward his forethought as it deserved.  Leaving him to pursue his guileless way, we descended into the beech grove for our lunch,