RIVER LIFE. 203 



proceed, but we at length reached the central peak. The true 

 altitude of Mount Ktaadn above the level of the sea is a little 

 more than one mile perpendicular elevation. It is, then, evident- 

 ly the highest point in the State of Maine, and is the most ab- 

 rupt granite mountain in New England. 



" Amid a furious snow-storm, we set out on our return from 

 this region of clouds and snow. Louis declared that Pomola was 

 angry with us for presuming to measure the height of the mount- 

 ain, and thus revenged himself. ■ Descending, we had nearly gone 

 astray, and might have descended on the wrong side, had it not 

 been for the precautions of Louis before named. Clouds and 

 darkness hung upon the mountain's brow, and the cold blasts al- 

 most deprived us of breath. Incrusted with snow, we carefully 

 slid upon the surface of the rocks.' ' We tumbled down some large 

 blocks of granite, that descended with a terrible fracas, dashing 

 the rocks into fragments as they bounded along.' ' Our party en- 

 camped upon the mountain side, and passed a sleepless night, 

 without food, and amid a driving snow-storm.' 



"Early next morning we struck our tent and descended the 

 mountain, but so enfeebled had we become by hunger, privations, 

 and fatigue, that it was with difficulty we could carry ourselves 

 and burdens. Every now and then our knees would give way 

 beneath us, and cause us to fall upon the ground. When we 

 reached the base of the mountain, we discovered some wild choke- 

 cherries hanging in bunches from the trees, which the bears had 

 often climbed and broken for the fruit. Felling one of those 

 cherry-trees, we ate the astringent fruit, and wore in some meas- 

 ure resuscitated in Btrength, so as to march with renewed 



or. A bed of blueberries also presented itself] and we stopped to 



dine upon them. 'Proceeding on, we met two of our company, 



who had passed down the night before, who had cooked all the 

 Indian meal that we left at our old camp on the island, and 

 brought the cakes for our relief. On our way down the river 



