58 THE ADIRONDACK. 



"right up," while the spruce trees, with their dry- 

 limbs like thorns a yard long, stuck out on every side, 

 ready to transfix us, and compelling us to duck and 

 dodge at every step. Now sinking through the treach- 

 erous moss that covered some gap in the rocks, and 

 now swinging from one dead tree to another, we con- 

 tinued for two miles panting and straining up the 

 steep acclivity, flogged and torn at every step. "We 

 had already gone fifteen miles, and such a winding up 



of the tramp was too much. H thought " the 



Millerites had better start from this elevation." A 



said 'twould " tear their ascension robes so that they 



would look rather shabby on the wing." T was 



sure the notion would take with them, as they 



" Could make such a dale of the journey on foot.'''' 



One large athletic hunter we had taken along as 

 an assistant, gave out, so that we were compelled fre- 

 quently to halt and let him rest. The fir trees 

 grew thicker and more dwarfish as we ascended, tU 

 they became mere shrubs, and literally matted to- 

 gether, so that you could not see two feet in advance 

 of you. Through, and over these we floundered, and 

 urged our steps: yet, tired as I was. I could not but 



