The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-10-06
A Night on Pixies Peak.
!.

RISE FROM THE HEIGHT
Special Correspondence of the VIRGINIAN.
4 Ii your readers are not too much engrosse
by the exciting political campaign now 'agitat
ing Virginia, they may be interested by a brie
account OF night spent by your correspon
dent upon the summit of the most remarka
BILE peak in the Rocky Mountains
Hearing incidentally that an old colleg
friend, who is now an officer OF the Unite'
States Signal Service, had been detailed to tn
station located on Pixies Peak, thought it al
excellent idea to renew our acquaintance unde
| romantic circumstances, and with that end il
view proceeded to Manitou to make the neces
sary preparations for ascending the mountain
With little difficulty | succeeded in securing
guide who undertook to procure suitable
steeds for the tedious journey 1t was agreed
that we should make an early start, and with
many pleasant anticipations repaired to the
hotel for the night. Early in the morning
descended to the stable where found the
guide experimenting the saddling OF two
queer little animals called Burros. They were
| dark blue color, and about four feet in
height, with ears from eight to fourteen inches
In length. They appeared to be cross between
diminutlve donkeys and mammoth Jack -rab-
bits, and exhibited countenances which were
doleful in the extreme. They seemed utterly
Indifferent to mundane affairs, and showed
every inclination to lay down the weary bur-
den of an unsatisfactory life The face of an
overwOrked cart-mule is brin-full of life and
intelligence when compared with the care
worn physiognomy of the miserable little beast
assigned to me. AS proceeded to mount he
cast glance of meek reproach over his small
bumped shoulder as though to dissuade me
from an act of wanton cruelty. With an eff
fort, resisted his dumb entreaties and slightly
elevating one foot moved into the saddle
The guide inquired i'll was ready and knowing
nothing TO the contrary, | boldly informed him
that was. Subsequent events, however, in
cllned me to the opinion that the assertion
was premature. The burro had, after mature
reflection, arrived at the conclusion that there
was cruel and unwarranted conspiracy on
foot to detract from his personal dignity by
undertaking his strength of character. He
placed his front feet deep in the gravel, ex-
tended his ears. and gazing sadly upon the
ground presented the appearance of mild res
ignation to harsh and undeserved fate.
love animals and wouldn't maltreat ANYTHING
that could hurt me- So hastily dlsmounting
from the irritated animal and gently rubbing
his nose for a.few moments, kindly inquired
if he would 60 He was deaf to my solicita-
tions, and treated my honied encomiums upon
his many excellent qualities with complacent
indifference. The guide sneermgly disap-
proved OF my tactics and swore with Western
tiuency that he would move him. He urged
me to remount With trembling knees and
the Impression that l was an intrepid hero |
complied. Two stable boys and playful by
stander then armed themselves with a whip, a
brush and hoe-handle. The assault was fear
full but produced no effect. Other methods
were Immediately pursued they twisted his
tail, poured whiskey in his mouth, blew in his
eyes, put sand in his ears, all with no appre-
cable result. The day was advancing and a
large crowd OF interested spectators had con-
gregated to offer advice and see the fun. ]
came to the conclusion that L didn't want that
burro, SO ordered another. While the fresh
animal was being saddled, will swear that
detected an amused twinkle OF qualification in
the eyes of the Stolid little brute that had
conquered US all. The second burro was of
more amiable disposition, and we had no diff
Guilty in starting.
Our route lay along the bed of a rushing
mountain torrent, and as the trail was narrow
and excessively rough, we were compelled to
go single Tile. The distance we must necessa-
rllY traverse vas thirteen miles. Along the
whole course the mountains were rugged and
wild and the scenery at certain turns in the
road was oppressive in its sublimity
Hour after hour we toiled up the precipi-
tous ascent, crossing and re-crossing the
stream which dashed to fury, poured wildly
ONCA tllC otOICo. hS W. IOSG UlSuGT sblu ul9uCT
and the atmosphere became more rarified, the
burro bestrode began to exhibit unmistakable
signs of exhaustion. The slightest exertion
seemed to cause it intense pain, and it moaned
piteously at every step.
During its frequent pauses | succeeded in
afording it some relief by placing my toes
upon the rocks on either side, while it en-
deavored to gain breath for renewed effort
We soon passed the Timber Line" which is
marked with great distinctness along the side
OF the monster mountain Below is luxuriant
verdure, above barren sterility. Still up
ward for three thousand feet we toiled over
and under immense masses of red granite,
which, in hideous nakedness, frowned upon
US. At length, to my infinite relief, we reached
the summit, and there, in utter barrenness Of
desolatlon, stood the uncouth dwelling of the
signal officers. 1t is a low stone building with
walls four feet in diameter, and in archi-
tectural hideousness according well with its
surroundings.
was greeted kindly by the two representa-
tives of the service, but regretted to learn that
my friend had left the station during the pre-
yious month. For a money consideration ]
persuaded his successors to allow me to re-
main during the night. In great physical
discomfort from the intense pain in my head,
caused by the unusual elevation, | endeavored
to make my way over the rough surface OF
what the proprietors of the house facetiously
styled the lawn. found, however, that the
slightest exertion was agony, and cOntented
myself by observing the huge drifts of snow
which filled every crevice in the rocks-the
original OF which was perhaps deposited there
a thousand years ago. 1t was impossible to
see the view owing to the angry clouds which
hung over the mountain and threatened every
moment to envelop the house in their ominous
folds. With some misgivings | entered the
house for the night. Men are not Clearly ami
mails, and this place on Old Pixies Peak surpasses
in filthiness the most disgusting conceptions
OF my imagination. sat up through the long
hours of darkness, and suffered Undesirable
anguish from the pain in my head. At early
dawn, | made q cup of coffee which relieved
me greatly and went out. The day was beau
tifully clear, and the crimson banners of the
sun were unfolding in the East. Never,
while live, will forget the sunrise which
gaddened my sight while standing on that
mountain top, fourteen thousand three hundred
feet above the level of the sea. There are
feelings too delicate for the touch of a word
and some sensations are not transferable to
paper. feel as though it were almost sacri-
ege to attempt to describe the most glorious
exhibition of the Almlghty's power | have
ever witnessed A long. brilliant line of fire
appeared on the horizon and instantaneously
bIS lIlOuutdlH uEDI WliCu ooooet w 40 DooHOP
in a flood OF golden light. The red granite of
the lower ranges reflected it in crimson waves
ofmarvelous beauty. Lower peaks caught it up.
It was poured torrent-like into the canyons and
threw into splendid and startling contrast the
sombre crevasses of the rocks with the vivid
coloring OF the overhanging cliffs. 1t illumin-
ated with supernatural radiance the luXu-
RANT green of the ancient hemlocks in the
lower valley, and then swept over the foot
hills into the plain, which, stretching out for
hundreds OF miles, appeared as though it were
placid, illimitable sea of light. Half dazed,
| turned to the west. and there, far as the eye
could reach, range after range Of lofty noun
tains rose in quick succession. Only a few of
the towering peaks had yet caught the mes
sengers of the morning, and with their snow
capped SUBMITS appeared to be robed in man
ties of immaculate white The lower ranges
were sombre and forbiddng cold and i'm
movable as fate. l was irresistlbly reminded
of the original command "Let there be light"
1 thought Of the birth of time; of the ages
gone and to come; OF lnfinity And before
the majesty Of created nature. felt the old
question rise to my lips the memorable cry
which ages ago filled the soul and was wrune
from the heart ofan awe inspired man, What
is mar that Thou art mindful of him %
Thoughtful and with a strange feeling OF
timidity, and of most intense dissatisfaction
with my insignificant self, rejoined my COM
panlon and bidding my hosts goodbye, de-
scended to the world. A. q. S.