Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1867-07-05
EFor the indicator
Pedestrian Excursion to the Natural Bridge
and Peaks of otter by several members
of the Lexington Law Glass.
CONCLUDED FROM LAST WEEK.

Having gratifed our curiosity by examin-
ing every point of interest about this Won
derful freak of nature, the Natural Bridge
the party adjourned for couple of hours to
the shop Of Mr. Martin Smith, who half
soled the shoes Of the party for the further
tramp to the Peaks Of Otter. Captain
H--then conducted us to his kind and
hospitable home. where We were entertained
by Bachelors No. 1, 2, and 4, with a
grace which showed them worthy Of the
brightest eyed lassies which trip the glades
of the Old Dominion But imagine our
flow of spirits, when Mr.. I'll. took his moth
ers key basket (she being from home) and
brought up some bottles Of his oldest and
best Catawba wine, and with the generosity
of the true Virginian. told US ''to make our
selves at home" The hospitality which
we received at this house was but an earnest
of the uniform kindness which was to greet
us on our further romantic journey. The
next morning we were on the road bright
and early from Mr.. HIS. to the Peaks of
Otter. Our only weapons were a silver
mounted repeater and blunderbuss, So
called, suppose from the blunders which
are SO frequently made by the use Of the
weapon About II o'clock we reached the
wild dashing waters Of Jennings Greek which
is the beginning of the ascent Of the Noun
tain This creek, considerably swollen, had
to be crossed 80 times, and was closely
bounded upon either side by high spurs Of
the Blue Ridge, making it necessary either
to wade the cold mountain stream, or climb
over almost impossible cliffs or peaks. Of
course we chose the latter alternative
Having accomplished our toilsome march to
within three miles of the summit and the
setting sun leaving us about worn out, we
dicovered on the ridge, just above us, a
comfortable looking mansion, whose blue
smoke curling to the clouds, brought to our
vision, old ham and eggs, biscuits and coffee
in abundance. 'sBully" said Kentucky
'Good" said West Va, but Alabam grew
poetical and exclaimed. eve will stay
with the people, Who live up in the steeple. p"
H. knew the ropes and divided us between
two families living in close proximity
Three Of us went to Mr.. Isaac Marcums
and three to Mr.. VIM. Marcums. They
made us welcome to bed and board and our
stay was made the more pleasant because OF
the smiles of the bright eyed damsels who
resided there and to whom H., KY, g.,
West Va. and Alabam made themselves as
tonishingly agreeable, but the married man
had no lot or part in the matter and had tc
content himself with chatting the old folks,
and expatiating largely on the crops and the
price Of tobacco.
The next morning by sun up we were en-
route for the Peaks. We reached its base,
or what is called the summit Of the Blue
RIDGE about 10 o'clock, and here we pro-
cured the services Of guide, Mr.. w. A.
D. T. His beginning as guide was rather
unfortunate, for he lost us IN the very out
set and acknowledged, after little upbraid-
mo that he had never been on the summit,
but said he had never been on mountain in
his life, that he could not find the way tc
the top. Our guide however became an in
teresting appendage to our party. We reach
cd the summit, the consumation Of our wish
es and tolls, alskut 10 o'clock, not cloud
obscured the sky. The scene which burst
unon us was more like the vision OF no.
nance than the solid enjoyment OF a reality
C, more nimble than the rest, scaled
the highest point and exclaimed in trans
port Of 10y sswhat is love? what is love?
Rut who would not become poetic, grow elo
ouent and even fall in love on such spot az
| this? On the East the mountain softened tt
the vale until the vast area Of land presen
ted an interminable succession Of highly cul
tiyated gardens. The green wheat fields, thu
dark woodlands and meandering streams
dancing and sparkling along was truly pic
turesque and delightful. Then when W
turned our eyes to the West and North