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page 115
the majesty of the mountains below, and close to us, is not
to be conceived. We now beheld the whole mass of Great Gavel
from its base, - the Den of Wastdale at our feet - a gulph
immeasurable: Grasmire and the other mountains of Crummock -
Ennerdale and its mountains; and the Sea beyond! We sat down
to our repast, and gladly would we have tempered our
beverage (for there was no spring or well near us) with such
a supply of delicious water as we might have procured, had
we been on the rival summit of Great Gavel; for on its
highest point is a small triangular receptacle in the native
rock, which, the shepherds say, is never dry. There we might
have slaked our thirst plenteously with a pure and celestial
liquid, for the cup or basin, it appears, has no other
feeder than the dews of heaven, the showers, the vapours,
the hoar frost, and the spotless snow.
While we were gazing around, "Look," I exclaimed, "at yon
ship upon the glittering sea!" "Is it a ship?" replied our
shepherd-guide. "It can be nothing else," interposed my
companion; "I cannot be mistaken, I am so accustomed to the
appearance of ships at sea." The Guide dropped the argument;
but, before a minute was gone, he quietly said, "Now look at
your ship; it is changed into a horse." So indeed it was, -
a horse with a gallant neck and head. We laughed heartily;
and, I hope, when again inclined to be positive, I may
remember the ship and the
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