84 THE ALLEGHAKIES. 



causes, this section remains in its primitive state. Its only 

 habitations are the cabins of hunters and a few venturesome 

 pioneers. It abounds in trout and game of all kinds. 



In Kettle Creek, Powder Eiver, Young-woman's Creek, and 

 all the tributaries of the Sinamahoning Eiver the latter a 

 branch of the Susquehanna the angler may cast his line with 

 the assurance of quick and full returns. 



When my first visit was made to this region, many years 

 ago, it was no trifle of an adventure to penetrate into its 

 jungle ; but now there are increased facilities, either by the 

 Bfce Eailroad to Genesee, or the Philadelphia and Erie to Em- 

 porium, and thence by stage to Condersport and wagon road 

 to Young-woman's Town. 



That this wilderness is not wholly without inducements to 

 immigration and settlement, is evidenced by the attempt of 

 the celebrated "Ole Bull," twenty-five years ago, to establish 

 a Norwegian colony here. Eight in the depths of the forest, 

 overgrown with brambles and brush, and inhabited only by 

 hedgehogs and owls, stands the castellated structure which 

 the sanguine violinist fondly hoped would be the nucleus of 

 a flourishing settlement. Graded carriage-roads, over which 

 no carriages ever rumble, sweep up to the door of the man- 

 sion. Splendidly built log-cabins surround it at circum- 

 scribed and deferential distances, like the old-time negro 

 quarter of a Southern plantation ; but decay is consuming 

 them gradually, and desolation sits within their doors. Great 

 trees have grown from their foundations, and saplings pro- 

 trude through their roofs. On every side are evidences of lav- 

 ish expenditure and misapplied energy, just as there are in 

 the wilderness of " John Brown's Tract," where the old man's 

 son attempted, years ago, to 'establish iron works that should 

 multiply his fortune and supply the world. Both efforts 

 failed by reason of their inaccessible distance from a market. 

 So completely overgrown and hidden from view is this ham- 

 let of Ole Bull's, that one might pass within a few rods with- 

 out perceiving it. Here and there a Norwegian family still 



