A COLORADO SKETCH 25 



from banks sweet and bright with flowers ; growing 

 into brooks down which lumber may be rafted ; 

 swelling into streams which carry irrigation and 

 fertility to arid wastes ; becoming rivers upon 

 which steamboats ply and ships ride at anchor. 



Physical geography is a fascinating science ; and 

 to the student of it nothing can be more interesting 

 than to stand upon some commanding mountain 

 top, and, with a large, comprehensive view, study 

 the configuration of the coimtry that gives birth 

 to those rivers that in their course determine the 

 natural geographical features of a continent, and 

 consequently shape the destiny of a race. From 

 many a peak in Colorado the geographer can trace 

 the devious line of the " water-shed," the " divide " 

 that separates the rivers and sends them out, 

 each on its appointed course ; and can see, shining 

 like silver threads, the rivulets from which they 

 spring. Looking westward, and to the north and 

 south, he can see the fountains of both Plattes, of 

 the Rio Grande — the Grand river — the Arkansas, 

 the Blue, the White, and the Bear rivers, and 

 other streams which unite to form that most 

 extraordinary of all rivers on the American conti- 

 nent — the Colorado. Turning to the east, a very 

 different scene greets his eye ; there, spread out 



