The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-09-19

AhhhA a. hsApAN
had hoped to be tho first 10 reach
tho uttermost top Of the pinnacle, but
Mr.. Selby surpassed me and reached the
goal, raised himself up aud stood at full
height, then caught with his arms aud
chung to the pointed rock that formed
the extreme pinnacle.
Some idea Of the fearful position he
was in as he stood erect upon tho top,
may be had when 1t is stated TINT the
rock ran up many feet like a spire, and
the top was so small that he could not
find room on itfOrthe soles Of both feet,
but had to balance himself on ono foot
and then stand erect. 1t was so danger
GUS that l would not attempt 1t, but
Contented myself with climbing till /
could reach the top with my hands.
On q granite acaur that projected that
projected from the side OF tho rock we
sat down, and Clasped the cliff with our
arms lest the wind should sweep us of.
There for the first time we took leisure
to look about US, and TO SEQ where the
rest OF the world was. 1t was all be-
meath US, except two or three peaks.
Toward the east VIC could look across
the Mono desert, and beyond that we
could trace the course Of the White
mountains In the State OF Nevada. 10
the north and south the stupendous
domes and ridges OF mountains rolled
away US far as eye could reach, till they
faded In the mists OF distance. White
fields OF snow and sheets OF ice and huge
rocks that shone In the sun like the
FURNISHED mosques and minerets oil
Moslem cities, blended with the blackel
masses Of the mountains and the wide
regions OF timber that grow on the lower
plateaus.
Toward the west there was no limit
The mountains sank away, and blended
with the plains, and the plains faded in
the distance and became invisible. The
summer heat was simmering on tho low.
lands and the mist hid all from view,
save a dim outline. That was SO iai
away that nothing was distinct. 1t was
harvest time, and all tho plains were al.
I'd with teams and wagons. But We saw
none Of 1t. We knew by.faith that they
were there; but 100 miles, as tho bird
flies, was too far 10 distinguish anything
and we turned away and looked toward
the mountains again, where all things
were clear and distinct.
II was summer on the plains, but. II
was not summer where we eat Clinging
10 the rocks, We sat and shivered with
cold, for the air was raw and bleak. Our
hands had grown numb so that We could
scarcely feel secure In holding To the
rocks.
10 my surprise l saw small butterflies
flying about over our heads. These In.
seCts appeared TO 10 enjoying tile sun.
shine and tho sharp air, and few leis.
urUly about, Us unConCOrned as II II had
been spring morning on some lowland
plain. This reminded me OF what | had
read In the books Of trayelers--that
among animals, butterflies have the wild.
est geographical range, and dogwood
among plants.
The cold and the piercing wind made
itimprudent that We should remain Ions
where We were. Our object had been
accomplished. We had reached the
summit Of the mountain, and had
climbed higher than we had ever beer
before aud with that satisfaction, We
began the descent Of the peak. Far be
low, on tho eastern face oil the mountain
just beneath huge snow DRIFT, we iount
q small plat Of green gtass, where VI
might sleep, and there we halted,
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