The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1884-08-16

reached the top, the first thing that
struck eur gaze was nr. MitcheHs grave.
1t is enclosed! by little rock wall about two
feet high. | rather expected TO find a
marble shaft marking the grave, but
found only the native rock. Perhaps this
is most fitting after all. As looked out
on the far reaching panorama, which en-
braces seven States. and mountains III
every ,direction as far as the eye can
reach, with lonely grave at my feet, re
1lectug that We We're ten miles from
any habitation whatsoever, and on
the highest point III the Atlantic
States, a strange feeling of mingled awe
and freedom crept over me that l cannot
describe.
The summit of the peak embraces three
or four acres of fairly level land. With
in this plot is huge shelving rock, un-
der which pilgrims always sleep. In
front of this cave we built huge fire
and then repaired to the highest point to
see the glories of the sunset. There we
stood close by the grave shivering with cold,
| in a huge overcoat with my hands run
into ny pockets up to my elbows, waiting
for the sun to set. Presently one of our
party lighted his pipe, saying, Here's to
Mr. Mitchell: ! hope he is iii heaven "
1t seemed to me that the sun was very
long time going down-we were SO cold
but finally it did manage to get down,
and | was glad of it. The cold weather
as cold as December at Chapel Hill
took all the poetry out of that sunset for
me. We then returned to our campfire
and prepared supper. We cut balsam
boughs and spread on the ground and then
spread our blankets over them for bed.
We made coffee and toasted bread and
broled bacon. After a long, wearisome
days ride, didn't we relish that supper ).
Did something to eat erer taste so good
before We sat away back from our fire,
under the rock, and broiled our bacon by
sticking it on to the sharp end of a long
stick and holding it over the fire Thus
we ate and drank and smoked and told
jokes and gazed out at the stars till eye
lids became too heavy and limbs too
tired to endure it longer.
We awoke next morning just as the
sky began to redden in the east. The
morning was clear, and we were more
favorably situated for enjoying the beau
ties of sun rise We could sit under our
rock, enjoy the good fire, and look out
towards the east and enjoy all its glories.
At first, the horizon IN every direction was
deep crimson, and then it gradually grew
paler, and then the crimson faded away
into old gold Then-but reckon had
better stop here for fear of getting my
adiectives mixed. We forthwith cooked
and ate our breakfast, and, after getting
some pebbles from DR.. Mitchells grave
and cutting some walking canes as souv-
enirs, we saddled our horses..and began
the descent. This was often so steep that
it required pretty good holdi,tg -poaoers
to keep your balance. We got down,
I1
stopped at q farmhouse and bought din
ner, and let our horses rest while we went
trout fishing. After enjoying this fas-
cinating sport for two hours, we resumed
our journey, and arrived at Col Longs
about midnight They We're not ex-
pecting us back SO soon; so, without
arousing any one, we crept quietly to bed,
and slept the sleep of the we'll satisfied
and of the extremely weary. A. W. L.