The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1915-12-30
deavor to get warm:

on the Overhanging Rock, as we could
get no view from it on account of the
thick snow, so after giving the mules
half-hour rest we prepared to start
again, to return to the Valley via the
Short trail. - The trail over which we
had come was eleven miles in length,
while the short one was only four miles
in much sleeper descent.
Before we started the guide produced
from some mysterious place some pieces
of dry burlap which he wrapped around
my legs in order to keep me warmer, and
drier, if possible, tying them in place
with pieces of Irvine. was certainly a
ludicrous object when he had finished, as
a snapshot that Will could not resist
taking will testify. l was tied up SO
tightly that 1t took the combined efforts
of the three men to get me safely aboard
my donkey again, and l am sure that
would have been worthy subject for
another snapshot, had it only been pos
sible to have taken it. Soon after we
had left the summit behind us the SNOW
turned again to rain. The trail led
across the edges of cliffs, and the de-
scent was at times by means of series
of corkscrew turns, very steep, and very
slippery from the rain. At times we
were on the very brink of precipice
thousand or more feet deep, and the
mules took the turns very carefully and
deliberately, gathering all four feet
close together, and then swinging their
bodies around the curve. 1t was quite
sensation to sit on mule whose head
was out over precipice, and to know
that his least misstep might carry you
both over. Many times held my breath
as my donkey's feet slipped and slid
over the wet rocks, but he was very
sure-footed and careful, and our guide
watched closely, so the descent was &C.
complished without mishap. Willis sad
die kept slipping forward. and it was
necessary to stop several times for the
guide to tighten it.
The most interesting part of the de-
scent came as we were crossing small
ravine. A large stream of water poured
out from under the snow and fell in the
middle of our trail-a miniature Niagara,
Just beyond this, tunnel had been cut
through huge snowdrift to open the
trail The guides horse went through
willingly enough, and Wills mule also,
with a little persuasion, but mine abso-
lutely refused TO stir. The guide called
back Lick himv' and Will shouted
"Hit him!' while Mr.. Stephenson from
behind advised "Whack him!" all of
which l proceeded to do, most energeti-
cally Fiially, by dint of much calling,
coaxing and swearing ION the part of the
guide, of course) and of continuous
pounding with the whip on my own part,
we succeeded in getting the reluctant
donkey through the water and tunnel.
1t will forever be source of regret to
my husband that he was not in a posi-
ton to photograph that incident!
We finally reached the bottom of the
trail in safety, and found there an open
carriage waiting to take US back to the
hotel. My first act before appearing in
public was to rid myself, with the guide 8
assistance, of the burlap "chaps," which
though they had been useful, were GER
tainly not becoming. A half-mile drive
through the rain, and we were at the
Sentinel Hotel again, very torlorn look
| ing specimens of humanity, and glad
enough to slip into the hotel by side
entrance and up to our rooms before
too many people saw US. There was
not dry thread of clothing on either of
US, and we dripped puddles of water
wherever we stopped. had complete
change of clothing with me, so that
was soon presentable enough to go down
to dinner. but poor Will was less FORUM
ate. Having come to the Yosemite in
light marching order, he was compelled
to go to bed while the bell-boy took his
clothes, with both our coats, to the vii
lage tailor. In this respect, as we soon
learned, he had eminent company. Ex-
President Taft on a similar trip to
Glacier Point had been obliged to walk
down the short trail as he was too heavy
a load for any of the donkeys, and on
reaching the bottom had, like Will, been
forced to 60 to bed while the tailor dried
his clothes. The waitress at my table
that night was properly sympathetic,
and took great interest in the selection
of an appetizing menu with which to
tempt the invalid's (?) appetite.
Next day was rainy also, though clear
early in the morning. Mindful of our
yesterdays experience we stayed close
to the hotel, taking only short walks be-
tween showers. One of these walks
took US to Camp Curry at the foot of
Glacier Point, and we found it SO at
tractive and SO well arranged that we
voted to patronlZe it on our next visit to
Yosemite. In the evening we gave
such liberal patronage to one of the
many village photographers that seri-
ously feared for the state of our finances.