Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-07-06
MltstcIlnncou5.
THE CAMEL'S HUMP.

The Cancels Hump, one of the finest
mountains in New England, derives its
name from fancied resemblance of its out
line to the figure of camel. 1t rises to an
elevation of nearly 5000 feet, and is the
highest peak but one in the Green Noun
tain range. The Cames Hump is about
fifty miles south of the Canada line; and
when viewed from Lake Champlain is
prominence above the neghborinr hills,
and presenting in bold relief against the sky
the figure of the animal whose name it bears
The outline is strlkingly exact the central
and highest part representing the Hump,
while curve towards the north gives the
figure of the neck, and the southern decliv-
ity slopes in the direction of the tail.
In travelling through this section of Yer
mont in 1880, the writer observed the sum-
nit covered with snow as early as the Sd of
September, and was informed by the inhab-
itants that it might frequently be seen whit
ened over in June. Its base borders on the
Onion River Valley, which, it is well known,
was the great thoroughfare ofthe Indians in
the early history of the colonies. From
this mountain they used to descend, like a
torrent, on the towns of the Connecticut
and on its summit they built their signal
fires, which could be. seen to an immense
distance over the River on the one side,
and far into Canada on the other.
In the early part of July, the writer, in
company with a friend and guide, visited
the mountain and spent night on its sum-
nit. When we started the sun shone bright
ly, and gave abundant promise of pleas
ant season for the excursion, but it soon be-
came obscured Our route for the last four
miles, lay through tangled woods without a
human habitation, and all the way ascend
ing, except when intercepted by deep ra-
vines formed by descending torrents.
On arriving at the summit, we found to
our dismay, that it was sunset, and that the
sun had set behind masses of black and
threatening clouds. We Immediately struck
fire and set about building ourselves a
house with the boughs Of the spruce, which
grew in scattered clusters round the rocks
At this elevation the spruce attains the
height of about six feet, and sends out lat
eral branches of length that frequently
exceeds that of the tree. The lower bran
ches extend so near the ground, that it was
necessary to climb over them in order tC
pass through the copse.
The night was growing dark so rapidly
accompanied with the thickening signs o
the approaching storm, that we almost de
SPARED of completing any thing like an adj
equate shelter from the elements But w
piled our hatchets Justify, urged by the strong
impulse of necessity and had the satisfac
ton of finishing our house just as we wer,
becoming enveloped in utter darkness.
| will not attempt to describe our scnsa
tons; those, who have been placed in sim
-ilar circumstances, will readily appreciate
them. All that constitutes the grand ant
the sublime, formed the elements of tn
scene. Immediately before us was the brinl
of a tremendous precipice. Below, above
around, all was impenetrable darkness, int
which our fire seemed vainly trying to sen,
few struggling rays, that only served t
make its darkness visible.
The fire itself seemed the sport of som
supt rhuman agency. Being kindled on tn
very summit of the mountain, it was blow
in one large sheet of flame, one instant {
the north, the next to the south, and agai
directly into the black and matted foliage {
the roof above our heads. Far in the worl
below, twinkled few glimmering lights
that seemed like stars fallen from their pla
ces,' while, around the cliffs, with a solemn
thunder-like voice, beloved the might
winds, at times shaking the mountain to it
very base, as though they were pent up i
its bowels and struggling for deliverance.-
All around combined to inspire the most ea
allied conceptions ofHim, who hath wegf
ed the mountains in scales, and holds tn
winds in his fists
At length the morning dawned upon u'
the clouds had partially passed away, an