Year: 1862

Inc one thing to be done at the Mopn.
tam House is the ascent of the monn,a;,,
eaile d the Owls Head. The world there oa.
ers nothing else of active enterprise to the
traveller, unless fishing be considered an se.
tive enterprise. am not capable of fishing
IN erefore we resolved on going up the Owls
Head. 10 dine in the middle of the day is
absolutely Imperative at these hotels. and
thus We were driven 10 select either che
morning or the afternoon. Evening lights
We declared were the best for all views. and
therefore We decided on the afternoon. II is
but two miles; but then, as We were told
more than one. by those who had spoken to
US on the subject, those two miles are M,
IKE other miles. 81 doubt if the lady can
10 1t, one man said to me. | asked if la.
dieS did Tot sometimes 60 up. "Yes Young
women DO at times" he said. After that nv
wife resolved that ST. would see the top of
the Owls Head, Or die in the attempt, and
SO We started. They never think of sending
guide with one i'll these places, whereas in
Europe traveller is not allowed 10 90 step
without ',ne. When asked for one IN show
US the way up Mount Washington, 1 was
told that there was no idle boys about that
place. The path was indicated to US and of
We started witt high hopes.


l have been up many mountains, and have
climbed some that were perhaps somewbs,
dangerous IN their ascent. In climbing the
Owls Head there is no danger. One is DIS
ed IN by thick trees the whole wav. But
doubt 1t ever went up sleeper ascent
1t was very hard work but We were not beat
en-. We reached the top, and there sitting
Gown thoroughly enjoyed our victory. 1t
was then half past five o'clock, and the sun
especially require its aid, and as the pros
peet below Us was very lovely We remained
there for quarter of an hour. The ascent
of the Owls Head is certainly thing to do,
and l still think. in spite of our following
misfortune, that it is thing to do late in the
afternoon. The view down upon the lakes
and the forests around, and on the woody
hills below, is wonderfully lovely. l never
was en- mountain which gave me a more
perfect command of all the country round
But as We arose to descend We saw a little
cloud coming towards us from over New
port.


The little cloud came on with speed, and
We had hardly freed ourselves from the ocks
OF the summit before We were surrounded by
rain. As the rain became thicker, We were
surrounde by darkness also, or if not by
darkness by So dim light that i, became
task to find our path. l still thought that
the daylight had not gone, and that as We de-
scended and SO escaped from the cloud We
should find light enough to guide US. But
it was not SO. The rain soon became a mat
ter of Indifference, and so also did the mud
and briars beneath our feet. Even the Steep
ness of the way was almost forgotten as We
endeavored to thread our path through the
forest before it should become impossible to
discern the track. A dog had followed US
up, and though the beast would not stay
with US SO as to be our guide, he returned
ever and anon and made US aware of his
presence by dashing by US. l may confess
Low that | became much frightened. We
were wet through, and night out in the for
est would have been unpleasant to us. At
last did utterly lose the track. 1t had be-
come quite dark, so dark that we could hard
ly see each other. We had succeeded in gel
ting down the steepest and worst part Of the
mountain, but We were still among dense


forest-trees, and up to our knees in mud
. But the people of the Mountain House were
, Christians, and men with lanterns were sent
, hallooing after US through the dark night


When We were thus found We were not many
yards from the path, but unfortunately on
8 the wrong side of a stream. Through tha,


we waded and then made our way in safet,


to the inn. In spite of which misadyenturs
| advise all travellers in Lower Canada to %


up the Owls Head.-Anthony Trouope.


n