Inspection of Pike's Peak in its Winter Season. 193 



Rather a novel assortment for meteorological work, but really a very 

 necessary preparation for the duty required. I insisted on carrying a 

 mercurial barometer strapped to my back, although the Sergeant said 

 it was anextra burdenwhich I ought not to think of taking. No other 

 inspecting officer had taken one and, besides being very burdensome, it 

 would probably be destroyed before the completion of the trip. But the 

 barometer went, performed its duty, and returned victorious. Now for 

 the conveyance. No one in town would rent a horse for the trip, as 

 they said it was madness to attempt the ascent in such weather, and at 

 the time of year. But we could fall back on the government mules, 

 and this we did, quite reluctantly, however, with a full appreciation 

 of the peculiar uncertainties which mule flesh is heir to. The 

 mules were large, strong, and perfectly white, strange to say, and 

 the one which I selected eyed me very significantly, as if objecting 

 to my size and weight, over six feet and about 240 pounds. 



The saddles were put on and properly "sinched." Before finally 

 mounting for the journey we gave our feet and legs a peculiar suit of 

 clothing, consisting of heavy arctic overshoes and a thick swaddling of 

 gunny-sacks. The latter were cut in long pieces and wrapped around 

 the feet and legs in continuous bands, until these parts of the body 

 were about twice the natural size. Each wrapping was held in place by 

 the use of twine. After we had completed our toilet in this respect 

 and swelled out over other parts of the body, in a similar manner, for 

 protection, we presented a grotesque appearance. Away we started 

 on the mules, and it was soon apparent that my noble steed preferred 

 to "go it alone" without consulting my wishes. I appealed to the 

 Sergeant for an unbiased decision in the case, and with some merri- 

 ment in his voice, and a twinkle in his "weather eye" he "'lowed" 

 that the mule should "boss the outfit." Being on the mule's back 

 and directly over his fulcrum, in case of a double-back-action of the 

 posterior extremities, I accepted the situation without a murmur. 



Reentered Manitou Springs without further interruption and there 

 watered our beasts of burden, and for our own refreshment quaffed 

 some of the sparkling iron and sulphur waters. This picturesque 

 retreat for invalids is one of the most delightful places of the sort I 

 nave ever visited, and I shall never forget the magnificent, awe-inspir- 

 ing scenery that surrounds it on every hand. It is truly a mountain 

 own, but saved from the usual roughness of such places because re- 

 stricted to the use of afflicted humanity. The waters are especially 

 invigorating and pleasant to the taste, the temperature equable, and 

 air ver y bracing. We were at the foot of the cluster of great peaks 



