Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-09-30

pensated for all the fatigue Of getting there. The
eye swept over comparatively level prairie several
miles in extent, covered with grass, with huge rocks
and patches of the baisam tree at intervals diver
styling the scenery. Over this broad expanse many
cattle Craze during the summer months. Viewed
from a distance this bald summit presents ap-
pearance from which it takes it's name-the Roam.
OF all the mountains have ever seen this is the
most beautiful. Others are grander, more sublime
and more impressive; but none are so pleasing,
romantic and 50 charming
Riding to a.convenient point we turned our horses
loose to Craze, and walked up to what is callea the
Bluff Standing on the huge rocks on the brink of
precipice down which you gaze upon the mass of
green foliage thousand feet below; onc feelsa wild
desire to hurl himself from his position and fall into
the lap of nature spread sweetly, and apparently
so softly, in the depths which he looks. Over
this Bluff the clouds were flying, frostng our gar
ments with their mist, ard hurryng to the rendez
vous of the elements of some future storm. As far
the eye could reach mountain rose over noun
tain their sides and the valleys between them dot
ted with FARMS looking like naked islands in the
ocean Of deep green foliage 1t is impossible for
language to convey an idea of the beauty Of the
to one who has never looked upon it, some
thing similar to it.
Over the Bluff rushes a strong current Of air, re-
strained it in the semi circular valley below,
and madly rising over the cliff. Here you may at
tempt to throw your hat the precipce, without
the least danger of doing The wind will whir
it back, carrying it over your head far down upon
the prairie, or lodging it among the dense growth Of
dwarf balsam frs
After gazing for some time on the surrounding
scenery, "Cross Roads" who had taken his saddle
bags his arm, drew forth his flask Of btters
and sad to relate, one-t third of the contents had
leaked out! Then was uttered lamentatOn feel
ing enough to have moved any thing less obdurate
than the hard stone which stood confess
to deep sympathy with every wofu word that was
mite hufh NV Of Lotto Sta1 st
there was still enough left. 81 know that" said
my friend mourntully, "but d-n it all, you
there would have been more of it if none had been
split"
Determined, however, to make the most of what
was left, my friend uncorked the flask, and gazing
out upon the mountains of Tennessee drank to the
health of Gov. Harris and the success of the Demo-
cratic party of that State Handing me the bottle,
l drank to North Carolina and Gov Bragg; and we
returned to horses.
About mile from the Bluff is large rock, the
top of which Prof. Guyo makes the highest point Of
the Roundabout $500 feet above the level of the
ocean. Passing by dense forest of the balsam fir,
which we penetrated and from which cut some
canes and gathered some beautiful moss we rode to
this rock; and Gross Roads" spurred his horse
up the ascent. Here he paused drew forth his bit
tiers again, AMI turning towards Tennessee, said !:
Here's to Gov. johnson, the tailor boy, and soon
to be United Safes senator" His next exclama
ton was, " III drink it any how!' which he did in
hurry, and came furionsly down, with a swarm of
yellow, jackets buZzng around him. Fortunately
the little pests Sung neither him nor his horse
Near this rock the line between the States of
North Carolina and Tennessee We rode over into
the latter State viewed the scenery around return
ed to what is called the big Avery spring, mixed
our bterS with some of its cold water, ate din
ner, again went up the Bluff and took another
view, and reluctantly commenced our descent At
nine o'clock that night we reached the village Of
Burnsv'lle where We ate hearty supper and got a
good nights sleep.
On the morning of the 14th, being joined by a
young man of huntsville, making our party consist
of three. we set off expedition to the
Black mountains, each of my companions carrying
pair Of saddebags well stored with provisions and
something else. Riding up the beautiful valley of
Caney river, about twelve miles brought to the
last settlement on our route. Here big Tom Wilson,
already favoraby known to the readers of the Stan
dad the discOvcrer of the body of Prof Mitchell
resides He is a noble specimen of mountanrer,
with large frame and heart we'll proportoned
10 it. His excellent wife furnished a first rate
dinner, to which we paid our hearty respects. Here
left our horses and took the trail for the high
peak, each of my companions with their saddlebags
their shoulders. and | carrying cloak and an
empty bottle The distance before u.s. to the top Of
the peak, 81 miles.
Crossing Sugar Camp creek, which takes its name,
suppose, from the numbers of maple sugar trees
that grow near it, commenced the ascent, pass
q
feet in circumference. For some distance as
cended gradually, bus soon came to steep part, up
which we ciambered with Carbohydrates is, Burns.
Vile" as shall ignate companion, and
myself had considerable difficulty, in which " Cross
Roads," who acted as our guide did not seem to
participate At the top of this ascent came to
comparatively level ground, covered with beach
trees, and known to the mountaneers " the beach
nursery" Here we were on ridge, the summit OF
which We followed sometimes ascending. sometimes
descending, the ridge was depressed. Not
far from the beach nursery found some ripe
blackberries, which were very sweet and TENDER
Soon were in beautiful grove of the basam frs
many of which 1S or 20 inches through. and all
of them quite tall. Their usual size is from to IL
inches through.
For some distance there is no water on the trail
but had filled my bottle at the last rl we crossed
| and now found its contents very refreshing The
supply, however, was not adequate to the demand
and We began to suffer from thirst After a short
search discovered small quantity of water which
tasted strongly Of the basam fir but of which we
drank heartily. The weather mild and not
withsanding the cool air in that elevated region
all pcrspired freely; but a shor: pause would pro-
duce chilly sensation. We noted many bear signs
but saw no game except couple Of pheasants The
soil Of the mountain is a rich black loan, to
its summit, apparently formed from vegetable mat
ter-the leaves of the balsam fir. These leaves lie
thckly, and spring beneath the feet you walk
them, like curled hair.
At length we came to little prairie, covered with
weeds and grass and from this commences very
steep ascent, leading straight up to the highest peak
OF land East OF the Mississippi river. Whether il
be Cngman's or Mitchell's peak, shall not under.
take to decide. Just before sunset stood upon it
The clouds had gathered around US, preventing
| US ION seeing the sunset. We could only mount
the platform, erected on the summit, and drink ou,
respective toasts. This done, descended hun
dred OF two yards to what all visitors to the high
peak know as 1.-THE cabin" which is little log hut
built of balsam fir logs. and rooted and ceiled witt
bark peaied from the same tree. Here found al
axe, a table, three stools tea kettle, coffee po.