202 RIVER LIFE. 



with a common fishing-hook and line, baited with a piece of pork, 

 or even with a slip of paper, which is to be trailed over the sur- 

 face of the water. Some of the trout thus caught would weigh 

 from three and a half to four pounds. 



" On the 22d of September we prepared ourselves for ascend- 

 ing the mountain, taking with us our tent, a few cooking uten- 

 sils, and all the food remaining, except a small quantity of Indian 

 corn meal, which we concealed on the island for use on our return. 



"Our party, all clothed in red flannel shirts, and loaded with 

 our various equipments, made a singular appearance as we land- 

 ed on the opposite shore and filed into the woods. 



" Having reached a height where the forest-trees were so di- 

 minutive that we could not camp any higher up for want of fuel, 

 we pitched our tent. This place is about half way up the mount- 

 ain. From it we have an extensive view of the surrounding 

 country. 



" Leaving our camp on the mountain side, at seven A.M. we 

 set out for the summit of Ktaadn, traveling steadily up the slide, 

 clambering over loose bowlders of granite, trap, and graywacke, 

 which are heaped up in confusion along its course. We at length 

 reached a place where it was dangerous longer to walk on the 

 loose rocks, and passing over to the right-hand side, clambered up 

 among the dwarfish bushes that cling to the side of the mountain. 



" Two of our party became discouraged on reaching this point, 

 and there being no necessity of their accompanying us, they were 

 allowed to return to camp. The remainder of our ascent was 

 extremely difficult, and required no small perseverance. Our In- 

 dian guide, Louis, placed stones along the path, in order that we 

 might more readily find the way down the mountain, and the 

 wisdom of this precaution was fully manifested in the sequel. 

 At ten A.M. we reached the table-land which forms the mount- 

 ain's top, and ascends gradually to the central peak. Here the 

 wind, and driving snow and hail, rendered it almost impossible to 



