158 WHERE ROLLS THE OREGON 



coming over the summit by way of the flue, using 

 the draft, as we had used the rope. 



But they were not ascending the mountain; 

 they were merely flitting about over the sum- 

 mit, as if the height were home to them. When 

 they had come — how long they had been there — 

 how long they stayed — I should like to know. 

 Why they had come and what they were doing, 

 however, I think I do know, though it may seem 

 quite past belief at such a height, amid the eter- 

 nal snows, with noxious fumes filling the air, and 

 a wind blowing across the peak that, as soon as 

 the sun was set, would stop the beat of a stouter 

 heart than a butterfly's. The fragile creatures had 

 sailed to the summit of Hood to play ; and here 

 they were at their sport as truly as children may 

 be seen at theirs in the school-yard. 



It was their regular passing at a certain dis- 

 tance from me, and their disappearance in a cer- 

 tain direction, that aroused my curiosity. And 

 the number of them ! and that all were coming 

 up, none going down ! — all of them appearing to 

 shoot up through the little gully or cut be- 

 tween the rocks and to bear off to the right over 

 the crater ! What did it mean ? 



