The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-08-25

sections from the projecting rocks above and
frightening into mummies more than sew
enty persons in the hotel at lunch. When i
retired humbly implored there might be
no electrical forces wanting to be equaIized
that night; for, though anxious 10 experience
an earthquake, would sooner choose nv
situation. Despite physical fear and
the deep roar of the Nevada. whose voice is
like reverherating thunder, we slept sound
ly as the rock beneath us, and awoke late
next morning with strong tendency
toward Clouds Rest. the highest point above
Yosemite, whittier few tourists 60. Scaling
night and exploring ravine in tantalizing
succession for five hours we at last nlanr
one foot upon that grand old ridge. long.
bare. and steep, more than two miles above
sea lever, and territory at least 200 hun
dred miles in diameter is unrolled to our
view. Yosemite, more than mile below.
appears ike miniature ehssm. The houses
are lost to view, and groves of trees
are as shaven grass. The MERGED
river glistens like silver thread, and
what yesterday stood above us, huge
and lmltless in grandeur, is to-day either
dwaried or wholly obliterated, and this is
truly the spot
WHERE MAN MUST OWN HIS LITTLENFss
AND KNOW THE MIGHTINESs OF GOD"
Again we stand before Nevada Fall, try
ing to divine if her magical grandeur bore a
likeness to anything. 1 closed my eyes in g
determined effort to forget surrounding OBJ
iects, and on opening them again saw an
avalanche, white, fleecy, and sparkling.
driven by fierce gale over the brink. and
melting IN seething caldr0n 200 feet below.
and the bow of promise came and sat like a
nymph upon the rising spray. We
saw her for the last time when
the morning sun gilded her brow
with halo of glory, and following
the grade, dismounted, and RECALLED our be-
wildered vision on another scene II was
like river of diamonds rolling down an
inclined plane of polished marble, and dis
solving into slumbering crystal pool. 1t
was as If this frantic current stopped for
flection before making a final spring into
the gulf beyond. Still below this polnt is ?
rustic staircase, long and very steep, leading
down to lonely chamber, whose walls and
floor are covered with moss, foliage and
grass of the richest green, giving color to the
broad unbroken sheet, that plunges like
a torrent of emeralds into the
misty chasm, fifty bearing the name
of Vernal Fall. Lingering here, YOU
may find yourself crowned with a Iiny cir
cular rainbow. rendering the visit a perfect
triumph of joy. Once more mounted we
pass In rapid succession, Mt. Brodenck,
North Dame, Washington's Column and
Royal Arches. and hasten to visit Mission
Lake, whose sleeping waters duplicate every
surrounding object.
"Twin mountains base to base here meet tn
astonished gaze,
one lowered toward heaven, in substance vast
One looms below in shadow cast,
As grand, as perfect, as its peer on high"
Returning 70 creations calendar, the even
ing and the morning were the last day.
We had been five days in the saddle, had
travelled every desirable trail and accom-
plished over 80 miles; but believe the entire
party exchanged with regret the saddle Tor
the stage. We breakfasted whilst the twi-
light shades rested upon the peaceful valley,
and just at sunrise came for the first time
face to face, in overpowering proximity to
the Great Chief Ell Captain; fitting type of
eternal massiveness. His two smooth gran
lite faces more than mile in length loom up
vertically against the sky, $3.50 feet; and
with this imposing spectacle, the scene
closes. Across the ravine Bridal Veil that
received us with her smiles OF welcome, now
waved her graceful adieus, and close with
this brief valedictory to tourists; See all the
world beside. and add this as the crowning
and closing spectacle life. Il B.