text:  The turf from the gliding down of newly fallen snow on those steep declivities was so slippery that it was often scarcely possible for the men to keep their feet; the beasts of burden lost their footing at every step and rolled down in great numbers into the abysses beneath; the elephants became restive amidst privations and a climate to which they were totally unaccustomed; and the strength of the soldiers worn out with incessant marching and fighting began to sink before the continued toil of the ascent