18 SCENERY AND SEASONS
And one further attraction of Kashmir is not only that each spot is so different from the other, but that each spot has a different aspect every day. ‘The day after our arrival at Harwan was still and heavy; the whole sky was overhung with clouds, though they were high above the mountains, and even the most distant ranges showed up with unusual clearness against the grey monotone sky. The stillness and the heavy clouds evidently portended a storm, and in the afternoon the distant horizon grew darker and darker. Gradually the snowy mountains were obscured from view. Then the middle distance became black and threatening. At the same time on the mountain craigs behind heavy clouds im- perceptibly settled down, and the great cliffs grew darker and darker. Blackness seemed to grow all round, and the mountain summits with the angry clouds upon them looked more and, more sombre, Meanwhile all was still and noiseless. Then suddenly out of the stillness came a rush of air. The poplar trees bent like whips. The long shoots of the willow trees lashed furiously together. Great drops of rain came spitting down. A bright, quick flash darted out from the mountain. Then crash came the thunder—elap
