The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-08-15
PERILOUs ADVENTURE IN THE WHITE
MOUNTAINS



Our troubles began with the very beginning OF the
scent The path narrow trees and shrubs complete
Iy hemmcd in the air close and oppressive in
tho extreme while the inosquetoes and little black es
annoyed incidentally La spite Of all these discomfor
could not fail 10 be- interested in the around
aud we often turned To gaze upon the valley beneath as
feposing very feet But we deprived of
this consolation for the clements evidently at work
below The clouds foated la fantastic shapes beneath
the lightning flashing in and out, while the thunder roll
sd below us, reverberating f,on peak IA peak Moth
ing could bo grander impressive. Distance in
deed lent cnchantment to the view for the storm APP
preached ceased to gaze ON the sublime spectacle,
and began 10 think somewhat of ourselves and own
situation Upward and upward rolled the msts, until
literally seemed to be walking in clondland gorge
Gus cloud land" Soon the min fell not In drops, but
in sheets, till in less than five minutes were wet
through dainpe, certainly to enjoyment and our
comfort IL of no To debate to our future
course; there alternative but to go ON, though
readily fancy il ID not the easiest thing in the
world for lady walk with her skirts not only satura-
ted with water, but dripping around her feet Night
came with rapid strides nature was becoming ex-
haustes and loudly demanded rest but the moments
were precious to bo wasted in needful reposs
II was impossible tell how far had gone, and the
top Of Mount Washington being hidden by the mists We
had way Of Judging how we TO the wished
for haven. And Nd we went ON, no voice save own
heard ia that drcar solitude in that terrible storm which
beat with fury detcnceess heads. Onward and
upward We tolcd but my part with fast diminishing
strength Of body and mind. And strength decreased
tho way became and more difficult tho ascent be-
coming exceedingly tosomc, the soft earth being repac
ed by Jagged rocks and stones that wounded my feet
every step When fattered myself that we had nearly
reached the top, and that tho summit House must
meet my longing gaze, another peak would loom
up suddenly out of the mist and of that be
surmounted before the rest greatly needed could be
obtained in vain shouted for help voices rang
out on the chill night mir but brought no response save
their own echo We could not refrain from speaking Of
the melancholy fate of her Who two years ago. lost
if. tiu utuip rtuEn
storm and by night urged my companion to leave me
under the shelter OF a rock, and go, while his own
strength lasted to the summit sending back assistance
to me but to this he would not listen, not daring To
leave or fear OF losing his way of not being
able to find again. No, must keep together for
veal woe. j dragged myself along, one foot slowly
following another, often staggering and falling PROSTATE
upon the rocks till could not another step but
sank down completely exhausted and almost dcspairing
of reaching shelter at least for that night could not
think in vain tried TO recall the familiar lines of
hymn which in childhood was wont TO repeat when
frightened by thunder storms my memory completely
deserted me, and my mind seemed u perfect blank.
When urged to make exertions and told that il
did not must perish where was, fr away from those
loved SO much my only answer childish petition 10
lie let alone. '.Ail things come to end il have
only patience to wait has always been avorte motto
of mine, and the ond at last for suddenly my
panion whose courage held out 10 the last, and whose
often kept me up, exclaimed that he saw light
ahead, and that the house must therefore BIO nigh
hand. Again and again he shouted for help, and oh
joyful sound at last there came back answering cry.
Alter littlc emerging, Ii seemed from the clouds
came the dim outline Of human forms, and ina moment
surrounded by three men, who took turns in
carrying me the next half mile, to the Summit House.
The next morning Of the took to see the
spot where lie found me- and where he had erected pile
Of stones to commemorate the event Need say could
not refrain from shuddering when saw IL was but few
feet from that built the place where Miss Bourne
was found dead in August, 1865