AMONG THE MOUNTAINS 37 



it seemed at times impossible that the horses 

 could keep their equilibrium; or dropping over 

 what seemed almost sheer walls, John in the 

 lead carefully picking the way. At length, 

 when we had attained an altitude of upwards 

 of twelve thousand feet, we had a practically 

 unobstructed view of the Baldy's summit and 

 were very close to the snow banks. 



For two days we had observed smoke rising 

 over the peaks. Here at this high point we were 

 near enough to a forest fire to see tongues of 

 flame sweep up tall trees to the eastward and 

 below us; and over the ridges great clouds of 

 smoke hung, dark and ominous. 



