EXPLORATIONS AMONG THE WHITE MOUNTAINS. 105 



tain, but became dense toward night. Was surprised by the arrival of Clough, Kimball, 

 Cheney, and Bracy. I am not likely to be alone again this winter. 



December 4. Sergeant Smith arrived to-day. 



December 12. Clough and Smith went down to the base of the mountain, and as 

 they returned found that the wire would work to the second tank, but could get no 

 current on the summit. 



December 13. The telegraph worked to-day for the first time. Now we are in the 

 world again. 



The ascent of the photographers, Messrs. Clough and Kimball, accom- 

 panied by two friends, Charles B. Cheney, of Orford, and C. F. Bracy, 

 of Warren, upon Nov. 30, was accomplished under circumstances of 

 great difficulty. The party had been delayed in reaching Ammo- 

 noosuc by being unexpectedly obliged to chop a passage-way through 

 trees which the wind had thrown across their road ; and it was past the 

 middle of the afternoon before they could start on the ascent. But, as 

 the weather appeared propitious, they decided to advance, having been 

 already delayed several days beyond their original plans. The following 

 description of their experience was prepared by Mr. Kimball, whose 

 strength proved unequal to the severe task when suddenly overtaken by 

 one of the fierce mountain storms. 



The end of the first mile, carrying us up to within one half mile of the limit of wood- 

 growth, found us in tolerable condition, when a halt, for breath and observation, 

 discovered to us an approaching storm lying on the Green Mountains of Vermont. It 

 would undoubtedly strike us, but we still hoped that we might press on and reach the 

 summit first. The thought of being overtaken by a furious storm, on the wintry, shel- 

 terless cliffs of Mt. Washington, with the night about to enshroud us, was fearfully 

 impressive, and prompted us to our best endeavors. With all the effort we could 

 well muster, we had only advanced a half mile more, carrying us fairly above the 

 wooded region to the foot of "Jacob's Ladder," when the storm struck us. There were 

 suddenly wrapped around us dense clouds of frozen vapor, driven so furiously into our 

 faces by the raging winds as to threaten suffocation. The cheering repose of the ele- 

 ments but a moment before, had now given place to what might well be felt as the 

 power and hoarse rage of a thousand furies ; and the shroud of darkness that was in a 

 moment thrown over us, was nearly equal to that of the moonless night. Compelled 

 to redoubled efforts to keep our feet and make proper advance, we struggled with the 

 tempest, though with such odds against us that we were repeatedly slipping and getting 

 painful bruises. Mr. Kimball finding himself too much exhausted to continue this 

 struggle on the track, we all halted in brief consultation. It was suggested that we 

 VOL. I. 14 



