Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-10-29
The Storm at kelpie's Pit.

At the summit Of an unnamed peak of
the Adirondack cham of mountains, walled
in by strange sort of natural embank-
ment, there once lay deep, black pond,
known as 81 KeIpes Pit" 1t was seldom
seen by tourists, being far from any resort
Of either fisherman or hunter but, in our
wanderlngs, camping one night in that re-
g:on, the guide told US of 1t, and We de-
termined to visit the place for the purpose
OF taking some of the beautiful trout with
which he assured US it was teeming. The
day following, therefore, found US making
ready, and at ten O'Clock the journey was
begun. Rocky as the road to Dublin was
the path, if, indeed, path it could be called,
following blazed trail through primeval
woods, and noon surprised us ere one quar-
ter Of the ascent had been made. Dinner,
a rest, and then on again, slipping here,
catching there, meeting obstacles at every
turn; stopping for breath now, for drink
at some little rill moment later it was
long tiresome climb, and dozen times
We regretted starting, yet determined to
succeed now that we had done SO.
Half way up the mountain-side we
reached broad, level shelf of rock which
commanded an extended view OF the coun-
try around. Already the sun was hidden
behind the mountains crest and long, cool
shadows were creeping across the silent
valleys below. Away on the eastern hori-
zon rested thick, heavy clouds, rejecting
the crimson and golden rays which the de-
clinlng orb threw upon them, but all else
was dun-colored and brown. Night was
coming on.
"Let US camp here, boys" said the
guide. throwing himself upon the soft thick
moss with which the ground was covered,
it's hard pull yet up to the PITT and,
as storm seems to be gathering over yon-
der, we cannot do better than prepare for
it."
You are right" responded Charlie,
it is going to storm. Let's build FIRE
and get our rubber blankets out. dread
wet night" and be shivered in the antci
patton.
Tired as we all were, Will and made
no opposition to the proposed halt, but
were soon engaged in bringing wood for
the fire, while the guide prepared coffee,
and Charlie produced cups aud plates from
the basket, cut the jerked venison, and
made ready for our evening meal.
Is that rain or wind, John ~ queried
Will as he filled his after supper pipe
" If it's rain, [ can staud it but wind -
and he cast an appreheuslve glance at the
tall pines, which, fAuutlng their ragged
plumes, clung with gnarled and twisted
root fingers to the rocky mountain side
above" but wind | am afraid off,
There will be enough of both," said
John, with troubled face Il like the
wind no more than you, and wish that We
were out Of range OF those ugiy-lsoking
fellows up there But here We are, and
here we stay. guess We can weather
the storm in the end
We all guessed, or at least hoped, So
and each sought the shelter that he deem
ed the most safe as the low, muttering
thunder rumbled Dearer and nearer, the
wind souged dismally through the branches
and, one by one, the stars disappeared be-
hind the black cloud curtain that was every
moment stretching further up toward the
zenith.
Here it is " cried Will. as in little
lull OF all other sounds the first rain-drops
fell, big and kissing, upon our fire, now
look out And the words were hardly
uttered ere the crash came, and very
deluge seemed poured out upon US from
above At the same moment, too, the
gale swept down with almost irresistible
force, tearing at our closely-wrappec
blankets, tossing the fre-brands hither ant
thither with wild, reckless fury, anc
shrieking through the bending trees and
bushes like score of grzzed witches on
some uidnight raid. Often throug b the
little breaks in the voice of the storm came
the heavy, sullen fall of some mighty pine
which for centuries, perhaps, had de6ed
the winds, miDgling oft with the sharper
crash of smaller trees, cut down in the frs
iull years of life and strength by the over
throw of their stalwart nelghbor. A yel
low glare, half-revealing, yet more con.
cealing, shone over brake and tree anc
mountain-side, while a sui phurous odor fill
ed the nostrils and pervaded all the air.
The rumble and burst of thunder wa
almost continuous; the fire was dead, the
boys silent the storm awed us all.
1 lay trembling, yet with firm grasl
holding the blanket, which still kept M
dry. 1 half expected, when the herc'
gusts came, to be tossed like dry lea
over the ledge down among the tree-top'
below, and shrank back against the wall o
rock behind me, sick with fear. Woult
this never end and quiet come again?
Suddenly, rising far above all others
and shaking the very earth with its vol
une, there came to my ears dread, in
de6uabe sound, sort Of rush and roa
like the voice of many waters or the ad
vancing tread of mighty army. growing
every instant more and more terrible.
What is this, boys?" l cried, spring
ing to my feet in half frenzy born G
: fear.
For a moment no answer came. and thel
Johns voice rang chill and hoarse as
death -knell through the air " The water
/ in Kelpie's Pit have broken out and ar
coming down the mountain! Lie still
God alone can save US from their fury
, My heart ceased beating. while wilc
strange thoughts ran riot through m
, brain. To die, so soon, and here alone
t 1t was fearful! l fell upon my knees an
Q prayed as | had never done before; ant
: praying, God sent peace into my trouble
: soul | Was at rest! To live or DIE,
was IN H,s hands and He knew best. The
l listened.