It was now apparent that the dread with which these men were evidently impressed did not arise solely from apprehension of an encounter with human enemies. Firmly believing that the heights of the Atlas are inhabited by _djinns_, or demons, it was obvious to our companions that the storm was caused by their anger at the intrusion of strangers into their sanctuary. We had not before noticed that one of the Shelluhs carried with him a live cock under his arm. In a state of the utmost excitement, he now proceeded to cut the animal’s throat, in order thus to appease the wrath of our supernatural foes, then renewing the appeal to us to forego further provocation. In emphatic English, and such pantomime as we could command, we explained that we were determined to reach the top, but would then immediately return, and proceeded to face the last portion of the ascent. This lay through a broad _couloir_, some twenty to thirty feet wide, between steep walls of rock where, on narrow ledges giving scarcely any hold for snow, the last plants were collected. The storm, now almost a hurricane, raged with increasing violence; it was scarcely possible to face it, and our hands and feet gave scarcely any token of sensation. The thermometer, though carried in a pocket, marked 25° Fahr. (or about -4° Cent.) when last observed. Maw pushed on with increasing vigour, and, in the driving snow, was soon lost to sight. Presently, shouts were heard, and he reappeared, saying that he had reached the ridge where the ground fell away on the southern side, that he could see absolutely nothing in any direction, and, owing to the severity of the cold, found it impossible to remain. He estimated the height at rather more than one hundred feet above the point reached by Ball, who in turn was about sixty feet above Hooker. They descended through that short space; and, after very brief deliberation, decided that no more could be done, and that a speedy descent was the only possible course. The appearance of the party was singular, and not one could have been recognised by his nearest friends. Faces of a livid purple tint were enclosed by masses of hair thickly matted with ice, and the beards, frozen in the direction of the wind, projected on one side, giving a strangely distorted expression to each countenance.