174 Twenty-fourth Report on the State Museuil 



progress was slow, for, as there was no trail, my guide took the pre- 

 caution to blaze the path, by chopping upon the trees every fifty or 

 a hundred feet, and continued so to do, with great labor, through- 

 out the day. 



At length, reaching the height we had in view, we were disap- 

 pointed to find it overlooked by another crest, more lofty than the 

 one which we had climbed, and separated from us by a slight depres- 

 sion. Believing that from its top we would be able to discover Mt. 

 Seward, we addressed ourselves to the task and laboriously climbed 

 it, only, to discover two loftier peaks towering opposite, beyond and 

 above which the clouds, as they drifted, at times opened to view a 

 misty summit higher than all. It was evident that we were already 

 upon the slopes of the mountain. A narrow valley was between us 

 and the opposite peaks ; descending into it, we found the forest car- 

 peted with deep, wet, sphagnous moss. Again ascending, the slope 

 became all but precipitous; yet, by means of small trees, fnainly 

 silver-birches, we drew ourselves up. 



Here the guide called my attention to a tree with its bark and 

 wood torn by the claws of some large beast. In another place a bear 

 had bitten a fallen tree to the core, and elsewhere left marks of his 

 teeth on the wood. The tracks of deer and other wild animals were 

 also observed, some of which were very recent ; the deep moss was 

 like snow and retained the impressions. 



With much labor we at length climbed a ridge and saw no more 

 peaks above us ; the valley we had left was far down, and the sur- 

 rounding country, wherever the eye could reach, spangled with lakes. 

 ITow the forest began to show that we had attained an altitude 

 where vegetable life recoiled ; the trees, principally Canada balsam, 

 spruce and white birch, were dwarfed and stunted, being barel}^ 

 fifteen or twenty feet high. The abundant, deep moss was a sponge 

 of icy water, so cold as to make our feet ache as we stood. In clam- 

 bering upon hands and knees, as we were often compelled to do, we 

 were wetted to the skin, waist high. Our breath was visible in the 

 cold air, which chilled us through our wet clothing ; yet the day, 

 though windy, was now bright and clear. 



After a hasty repast, we hurried along the ridge to gain the highest 

 point upon it, being anxious to accomplish our work and descend 

 part-way the same afternoon ; not wishing to camp in that wet, cold 

 region, where sleep, if possible, would be extremely hazardous. 



About 3 p. M. we seemed to have gained the highest point on the 



