Chapter 8

GAVARNIE.

A "falling glass"--The wonderful echo--Cascade Lassariou--Sia and its bridge--Pont de Desdouroucat--"Changing scenes"--Bugaret torrent--The Piméné--Bué--Gèdre--Brêche de Roland in the distance--The "Grotto"--Scenery at fivepence per head--Daffodils--Lofty summits--Cascade d'Arroudet--Chaos--Valley of the "Ten Thousand Rocks," Amoy--A dirty avalanche--The Sugar-loaf--Travellers' troubles --Importunate females--Hotel des Voyageurs--Poc--Guide or no guide--Chute de Lapaca--The guardian summits of the Cirque--Cascade du Marboré--Chandelles du Marboré--The Cirque--Its marvellous beauty--Reluctantly returning--"The Guide's Auction"--"Two women enough for a market, and three for a fair"--A Yankee tale--Sketching and flowers--Tempers and appetites