Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1891-07-09

pressed on. many falling dead on the
way, and after many months they reach.
ed the very foot of the mountain which
was to find the realization or disap-
pointment of all their hopes,
1t was late at night when they
reached the foot of the mountain, and
they lay down to- wait for the morrow
before making the ascent. With the
first CLEAN of light they were up. All
we're anxious to begin the ascent, but
Balboa ordered them to remain behind
until he alone had climbed the barren
rock
What lifetime of emotion Balboa
passed through in the short interval
he. occupied In reaching that solitary
summit AS the horizon kept broad
ening and deepening the higher he as
cended, he almost shrunk from the
final step which was 10 decide his fate.
The blood eoursed more rapidly
throbbed vim b more Ihfn1ssnn vheasj
as down sunk the eastern sky before
his steadily ascending footsteps, until
at length 1t met q deep blue line A
sudden movement, n few hurried steps,
and there lay the vast Pacific hea oinR
calmly below him and losing itself in
the distant horizon. One glance at its
broad bosom-One look at the green
islands and greener savannas and rush
ing streams at his feet-and he sunk on
his knees and gave vent to his over
towering emotions in devout thanks
givings to his Maker
His followers below, silent and
thoughtful, had watched with interest
their leader as he slowly toiled up the
steep ascent. Their painful suspense
was ended when they saw him drop on
his knees and lift his hands toward
heaven in prayer; and low deep MUIR
muir ran through the ranks.
Slowly Balboa arose, and casting
one more glance on that slumbering
ocean, turned and waved to his follow
ers TO come mp. With loud shout they
dashed forward, and when they reached
the height their bosoms swelled with
emotion as they gazed off upon the
new ocean and new world below them.
At the wondrous spectacle they all fell
PROSTATE and offered up thanksgiving
to God.
A priest among them lifted up his
voice and chanted a psalm of praise,
and the whole band joined in. All
then arose and embraced Balboa,
swearing to follow him even to death.
A huge cross was erected as an evil
dence of the discovery, and then the
descent to the sea was made. At
length they stood on the beach of q
large bay The tide was out. and
they waited till its return. They
caught the sheen of the water
at it came ripping over the
shallow sea bed; and when it reached
their feet, they stopped down and tast-
ed it to see If it really were saltwater
like the Atlantic. Balboa then ar
ranged his followers along the beach,
and, unrolling banner and holding it
in one hand and his drawn sword in
the other, he advanced into the water
until it reached his knees. He then
waved his banner, stretched out his
sword, and in the name of his sover-
eign took possession, in the most
pompous style, of all the sea, islands,
and territory between the tropics, even
to the poles, swearing to defend them
for all time, even TO the day of judg-
ment. His followers joined in the sol
emn oath, and returned thanks to God
for the great favor he had vouchsafed
them.
After making explorations in the
surrounding country the adventurers
returned % Darien. Balboa was
hesped with hoaors aud titles, but