AND OTHER HUNTING ADVENTURES. 31 



and its crown is almost lost in the limitless regions 

 of the deep blue sky. 



From the verandas of the Tacoma House one may 

 view Mount Tacoma until wearjed with gazing. The 

 Northern Pacific Railway runs within fifteen miles 

 of the base of it, and from the nearest point a trail 

 has been made, at a cost of some thousands of dollars, 

 by which tourists may ascend the mountain on 

 horseback, to an altitude of about 10,000 feet, with 

 comparative comfort; but he who goes above that 

 height must work his passage. There are several 

 men who claim the distinction of being the only 

 white man that has ever been to the top of this 

 mountain. Others declare that it has been ascended 

 only twice; but we have authentic information of at 

 least three successful and complete ascents having 

 been made. Indian legends people the mountain 

 with evil spirits, which are said to dwell in boiling 

 caldrons and yawning caverns 



" Calling shapes, and beck'ning shadows dire, 



And airy tongues that syllable men's names." 



Tradition says their wild shrieks and groans maybe 

 heard therein at all times ; and no Indians are known 

 ever to have gone any great distance up Mount 

 Rainier, as they call it. White men have tried to 

 employ the native red men as guides and packers 

 for the ascent, but no amount of money can tempt 

 them to invade the mysterious canons and cliffs 

 with whicji the marvelous pile is surrounded. They 

 say that all attempts to do so, by either white or 

 red men, must result in certain destruction. Un- 

 doubtedly the first ascent was made about thirty 

 years ago, by General (then Lieutenant) Kautz, and 



