In certain places on Alpine summits the way is peculiarly dangerous on account of the frequent falling of avalanches, and the traveller walks in dread of instant destruction. Samuel Rogers puts it thus
'Then my guide
Lowering his voice addressed me: 'Through this gap
On and say nothing; lest a word, a breath,
Bring down the winter's snow, enough to whelm
An army.'
Thus when alarmed by an awakened conscience men walk in fear from hour to hour, trembling lest a thought or word of sin should bring down upon them the impending wrath of God. Thrice happy is he who has traversed that awful gap of terror and now breathes freely because sin is pardoned, and therefore every apprehension is removed.