The IVild SJieep of the Sierra, 



293 



The gray bowlder- chafed river was singing loudly through the 

 valley, but above its massy roar I heard the deep booming of a 

 water-fall, which drew me eagerly on. Emerging from the tangled 



IN A SIERRA KORKST. 



avalanche of groves and briers at the head of the valley, there, in 

 full view, appeared the young San Joaquin fresh from its glacier 

 fountains, falling white and free in a glorious cascade, between 

 granite walls two thousand feet high. The steep incline down 

 which the glad waters thundered seemed to bar all farther progress. 

 It was not long, however, before I discovered a crooked seam in the 

 rock, by which I was enabled to climb to the edge of a terrace that 

 ^es the canon and divides the cataract nearly in the middle. 

 Here I sat down to take breath and make some entries in my note- 

 book, taking advantage, at the same time, of my elevated position 

 19A 



