XI. 



TAHAAVUS WITH THE CLOUDS BELOW IT ^A HARD TRAMP 



A TLANK BED ON THE BOREAS RIVER A SORRY 



COMPANY TRAVELING AFTER A BREAKFAST. 



Backwoods, July. 



Dear H : 



There is a path across the mountains to the road 

 that leads into the centre of this vast plateau, and to 

 the lake region. But I am going out to a settlement 

 before I start for that still more untrodden field, filled 

 with scenes far more beautiful. This is the last 

 morning I shall, probably, ever look on the summit of 

 Tahawus. You cannot conceive what an affection 

 one has for a majestic old mountain few have ever 

 ascended, and on whose top he himself has stood. 

 For six years not a foot has profaned this almost inac- 

 cessible peak, and I feel as if I had paid a visit to a 

 hermit and left him in his solitude, thinking over the 



