Exploring Visits to the Sources of the Hudson. 305 
deer were frequently seen, and we discovered also the recent 
tracks of a moose deer or the American elk. We had also noti- 
ced on the 16th, at the inlet of Lake Sanford, the fresh and yet 
undried footsteps of a panther, which apparently had just crossed 
the inlet. 
The beaches of the river, on which, by means of frequent. ford- 
ing, we now traveled, are composed of rolled masses of the labra- 
doritic rock, and small opalescent specimens not unfrequently show- 
ed their beautiful colors in the bed of the stream. As we approached 
the entrance of the mountains, the ascent of the stream sensibly in- 
creased, and about 4 P. M., preparations were commenced for our 
encampment. A comfortable hut, of poles and spruce bark, was 
soon constructed by the exertions of our dexterous woodsmen. The 
camp-fire being placed on the open side, the party sleep with their 
heads in the opposite direction, under the lower part of the roof. 
On the morning of the 18th we resumed the ascent of the stream 
by its bed, in full view of two mountains, from between which the 
stream emerges. About two miles from our camp, we entered the 
more precipitous part of the gorge through which the river descends. 
Our advance here became more difficult and somewhat dangerous. 
After ascending falls and rapids, seemingly innumerable, we came 
about noon to an imposing cascade, closely pent between two steep 
mountains, and falling about eighty feet intoa deep chasm, the walls 
of which are as precipitous as those of Niagara, and more secluded. 
With difficulty we emerged from this gulf, and continued our up- 
ward course over obstacles similar to the preceding, till half past 
2 P.M., when we reached the head of this terrific ravine. From 
a ledge of rock which here crosses and obstructs the stream, the river 
continues, ona level which may be called the Upper Still Water, for 
more than a mile in a westerly and northwesterly direction, but con- 
tinues pent in the bottom of a deep mountain gorge or valley, with 
scarce any visible current. ‘To this point the river had been ex- 
plored by the proprietors on a former occasion. 
Lake Colden.—Mountain Peaks. 
Emerging from this valley, we found the river to have a meander- 
ing course of another mile, in a northwesterly and northerly direc- 
tion, with a moderate current, until it forks into two unequal branches. 
Leaving the main branch which here descends from the east, we fol- 
~ lowed the northern tributary to the distance of two hundred yards 
