The Press., 1890-06-05
LOST IN THE MOUNTAINS.
t +< -- 48 NY

S.s fEA 489 W
 Same six years ago, while connected with a botanical establishment in North Carolina, had business for the firm, that carried me into the neighborhood of the far famed Black Mopntain range. My errand accomplishedy fingered in the vicinity for a5day or two, in order to do little prospecting on my own account.
 I had long been desirous of making the ascent of Mount Mitchell, that heavenward soaring Monarch of the Blacks, rendered doubly interesting because of it's superior alti- tude and of it's pinnacles enshrining the dust of its intrepid discoverer-the story of whose tragic deathshass so often been repeated.
 Having spoken of this intention to the mountaineer with whom was stopping, he advised my going round to the Buncombe county side, and there procuring guide to make the ascent with me, as there were bri- Clle paths cut from that direction. However, he went on to say, if did not care to take all this trouble, he could procure a guide for me on this side, although, he cautioned me that would find the route exceedingly rough and not little dangerous. %#
 Now, this idea of taking guide with me was one I did not relish much. Indeed, it was the very last thing wanted to do. I was young, self reliant, and full of the spirit of adventure. Besides, I wanted something to brag about among my youthful friends on my return, and what better could I have than that had made an ascent, alone, of the gloomy Blacks? Perhaps, also, might dis cover a new peak, perhaps even one of su- perior altitude to the towering Mount Mitch ell, and thus hand my name down to poster ity along with those of Dr. Mitchell, Gen. Clingman, and other famous explorers
 Filled with these thoughts and aspirations, procured a generous lunch from the wife of my mountaineer, and under pretense of going to spend the day and night with an old trap per, who lived fivesnSiles away on the Clancy river, I set off at daybreak, the next morning on my adventurous journey
 I had made close inquiries in regard to the various foot paths up the mountain sides, and had, as I thought, the correct bearings of the route ought to pursue pretty well fixed in my mind. Indeed, the peak I de- sired to oreach was in full view of my friends front door, and was of the opinion that by keeping an eye to the direction would have but little trouble in reaching it.
 I had been repeatedly told of the almost impenetrable forests of balsam that covered the upper portion of these Alpine like peaks, butin my ignorance supposed it would be quite easy, in spite of the dense growths, to trace out the footways.
 My host had informed me that it was good ten miles from his door to the summit of Mount Mitchell. Being blessed with a capi- tai pair of legs and we'll accustomed to using them, I had calculated that by starting at daylight I could easily make the trip to the summit and back to oneSof the near CT huts of the mountaineers by early nightfall, any how. But that l. might be the better pre- pared in case had to camp out, I provided myself with blanket and box of matches. The former wore in a roll strapped across my shoulders. ts&
 Even in the light chestnut forests that cov- cred the lower slopes had much difficulty in finding my way. In many places the trail was barely traceable. More than once I got completely turned around, and found myself doubling back upon my own footsteps.
 l had never before been in the balsam thickets. Had been, am candid enough to admit that would never, with all my love of fame and adventure, have set out alone on what very soon came to realize was most foolhardy undertaking. The dense gloom of the balsalns had but little more than en- veloped me, when began to wish I had taken the old mountaineer's advice and have gone round on the Buncombe county side, and as- cended by the bridle paths, like any other civilized mortal. Not only did the almost impenetrable forests reach away on every side, but underfoot in every direction stretched great beds of sponge like moss, into which my foot sank, often above the ankle, and yet left no impression. s45$a %fNg ss&i
 In vain looked for the least sign of path Not one was anywhere visible, not even the trace of human being. It was with ex- treme difficulty that could now make my way through some places at all, for the bal sam is tree of many branches and these, growing low to the ground, form almost i'm penetrable barriers. t@
 had not gone very far when discovered that it would be simply madness to continue on my way unless I could come across a path of some sort. On trying to retrace my steps, found, to my utter dismay, that had lost acknowledge as to IT, bearings. Twas so com pletely turned around that I.hadn't-the least idea of the direction whence I had entered the forest.
 sat down for a moment to think over the situation. I was assuredly lost, and what was worse, hadn't the least knowledge of my whereabouts. If could get look at the sun thought might have some idea of the course I ought to pursue. But the dense, dark foliage of the balsams excluded even a ray, and although my watch showed me that it was fast nearing noon, the light about me was little clearer than that of twilight.
 After resting half hour or so started ofi again, with the determination to keep in as straight course as could possibly, judge. Added to the difficulty had previously ex- perienced of making my way through the dense, overhanging boughs of the balsams, ] now encountered another, and, in many in stances, a far greater. This was from the numerous dead balsams that had fallen against the others, and in some places com. pletely barred my way. I had repeatedly to crawl upon my hands and knees, and often to throw my body Hat upon the ground and work my way through. l had proceeded g mile or more in this manner, as near as I could ~ judge, when I came suddenly upon kind Aoi 8clearing, apparently made by the uprootine of several large trees in storm. Here was enabled to get my first glimpsesof theasur since entering the balsam forests glanced at my watch. It was now past 2o'clock, and the sun was already inclining towards ths west. N st''@- Directly in front of mo could see the bold 7 somewhat bare outlines of 8 peak which recognized at once from its peculiar shape as "The Potato Top, ," an outlying spur of the Blacks As the mountaineer whose home had left in the morning lived on the north side of this peak, I had now some little idea : as to my whereabouts. ssIts was stitteriy use. less, as well as foolhardy, soon recognized to attempt to reach Mount Mitchell that day This peak was not even in sight, and as far from me, now realized, as when had first begun the ascent of the range. My more sensible and decidedly safer plan was to try 10 find my way back to my late hosts cabin since now had some idea as to it's direction
 Leaving the sun directly on my left faced