192 



RIVER LIFE. 



of the two (the western and middle peaks) is highest. Judgment 

 was given in favor of the middle one. 



"While sitting on the south side of the monument at twelve 

 o'clock, we put the thermometer in a favorable place, and it went 

 up to 84°. At the same time, on the north side, and six feet from 

 us, water was freezing, and the snow dry and crusty. Near by 

 the monument a rock stood in its natural position, having a sharp 

 peak in the top. This was the highest one of the kind. Of this 

 about four inches were broken off, and one of the company car- 

 ried it home with the conviction that we had lowered the height 

 of Ktaadn to that amount. About two P.M. we returned to the 

 eastern peak. It may be well to pause here and take a re-sur- 

 vey of the scene thus far presented, and as much more as can be 

 viewed from this point. 



11 From this eastern peak a spur makes out eastward one mile. 

 Half a mile down, however, it divides, and a branch runs to the 

 northeast the same distance. On the southwest, across the cut, 

 is the ' Chimney.' From this the line of peaks and hammocks 

 curves to the west till it reaches the middle and highest peak. 

 From one hammock to the other there are, in all, thirty rods of 

 narrow passes. Some of them are so narrow that a man could 

 drop a stone from either hand, and it would go to unknown depths 

 below. In some places the only possible way is over the top, and 

 only one foot wide. For a great part of the time the wind blows 

 across these passes so violently that the stones themselves have 

 to be firmly fixed to keep their places. It seemed remarkable, as 

 if for our convenience, that the day of our visit was still and quiet. 

 From the middle peak the line curves to the northwest, to the 

 further monument. From this point a branch makes down to 

 the southwest, having on it some extensive table-lands, while the 

 top ridge or curve turns directly north with the 'sag. 1 At the 

 bottom of the ' sag' we come upon a wide flat, which runs north 

 half a mile, and stretches out to a considerable width. At the 



