166 JOHN C. FREMONT. 



we proceeded to descend. We had accomplished 

 an object of laudable ambition, and beyond the 

 strict order of our instructions. We had climbed 

 the loftiest peak of the Rocky Mountains, and 

 looked down upon the snow a thousand feet below, 

 and, standing where never human foot had stood 

 before, felt the exultation of first explorers. It was 

 about two o'clock when we left the summit; and 

 when we reached the bottom the sun had already 

 sunk behind the wall and the day was drawing to a 

 close. It would have been pleasant to have lingered 

 here and on the summit longer; but we hurried 

 away as rapidly as the ground would permit, for it 

 was an object to regain our party as soon as possible, 

 not knowing what accident the next hour might 

 bring forth. 



" We reached our deposit of provisions at night- 

 fall. Here was not the inn which awaits the tired 

 traveller on his return from Mont Blanc, or the 

 orange-groves of South America, with their refresh- 

 ing juices and soft fragrant air; but we found our 

 little cache of dried meat and coffee undisturbed. 

 Though the moon was bright, the road was full 



O O ' 



of precipices, and the fatigue of the day had been 

 great. We therefore abandoned the idea of rejoin- 

 ing our friends, and lay down on the rock, and, in 

 spite of the cold, slept soundly." 



