The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1885-08-20
THUNDER HEAD.
(COncluded)

l stated in the last issue that we
had the benefit ola mountain rain
on Sunday.
Sunday morning we arose from
our tent in time to get a view of
the sunrise as it lit up and gilded
the tops of the mountains. Soon
dense fog arose from the streams
and gulleys, covering everything
beneath, except the mountain
peaks that stood up like little is
lands in a vast Ocean.
Two of our party remained with
the tent and provisions. Two
strolled, or climbed rather. down a
small spring stream that empties
into Eagle creek,a couple of miles
below on the North Carolina side.
Yes, it was climbing; for it was
down, down over huge bolders all
the way. The little thread of wa
ter bounced and sputtered, gather.
ing reinforccments from other
sources, until its roar was distinct
ly audible in the distance. The
sun by 10 o'clock had scattered the
mist, and small black cloud hung
over Cades' Cove. 1t stood appa.
rently still, other clouds joining 1t
as if by previous arrangement un.
til the whole heavens were COW
cred.
The air grew warm and still. A
perfect lull! We saw that it was
coming. In the gully it became
dark. On the mountain top breeze
was stirring, with vivid flashes Of
lightning. The thunders let loose
with an almost deafening roar.
Down 1t came, faster and faster.
At 2 o'clock in the ravine, it was
fairly black.
Our party that had gone beneath
returned as hurriedly as possible,
climbing over slick, moss-covered
rocks. not unfrequently losing their
fOot-holds to and themselves com.
! raesely WORCESTERSHIRE Aoods be
meath, The streams had swollen 80
rapidly that every crevice and lit.
tie ravine was full to overlooking
80 that their steps were retraced
with no little Encouragement.
A drowned rata chicken whose
toilet had been completely ruffled
by much suffering from the ele
ments would have compared ia
vorably with our appearances. The
writer had the misfortune to be be
f meath.
The tent! Alas! We had failet
y to properly ditch it. The waite
= played hide and 60 seek among ou
/, edibles. The meal, salt and suga
i had been fatally soaked. Wha
were we to do! All we could d.
was to grin and bear it. BY q sud
den change in the wind, to the Mort
P the hail stones beat down upon u
: from the icy battlements above
y We were now taking portion of
q bleak November day.
Fire out! blankets wet! doat
= wood! provisions soaked! W
:. stood shivering! Who was it thu
= named home? With a member ,
y our party sick! I shall never 70
y get his bilious cOlored eyes as
= shrugged his shoulders, and sent
:. frigid shiver down his backbon
!. What was to be done with TO,
y gnawing appetites?
/; Five O'Clock. Two miles from ar
- place where we could obtain relic
!, and one of those dense fOgs whiC
y the mountaineers so dread was Ell
,s veloping us. We could scarcel
10 see our hands in front of our face
:. The mist boiled up frim beneat
; and swept across the tops like
10 driving snow storm.
ii We must make a break for Il
3. cabin. So luggage and soaked pr
vision and blankets were hurriedI
strapped across our backs, and II
genial glow of the cabin fire-plat
was sought Up and down, wit
n wet apparel we went, inward
. wishing and fairly praying for som
l. of home comforts. The remnan,
n of home dainties had long sine
l. been consumed. Ham, bacon, cor
70 dodger and coffee for breakfas
e with the same bill of fare reverse
9. for dinner, and broken into in tn
Z middle and the opposite ends place
e together for supper. Unused
q this manner Of living, the gloon