Inspection of Pike's Peak in its Winter Season. 



195 



Station at the summit. "We changed about, the Sergeant taking the lead. 

 If any trouble occurred, it was arranged that one or the other of us, as 

 might be necessary, should call out and briefly state the facts, followed 

 by such directions as the exigency demanded. But in no case were we 

 to turn about in our seats, or otherwise disturb the equanimity of the 

 mules, for all safety depended on their steady nerve and quick move- 



We had proceeded but a short distance, on the resumption of our 

 journey, when the thunder crashed among the rocks and trees, " rain 

 descended and the floods came." The lightning played about us with 

 the wildest freaks, my body tingled with pricking sensations, and I 

 could draw slight sparks from the iron trimmings of the saddle. The 

 mules were perfectly unconcerned, to all outward appearances, which 

 was extremely fortunate for us, but they had " been there before " and 

 realized that the trail required more of their attention than these 

 atmospheric side shows. The rain changed to sleet and finally to hail, 

 and in about fifteen minutes we had passed through, and rose above 

 the storm clouds into the sunshine, which revealed, in a startling 

 manner, the dark and threatening appearance below us. It was a 

 sight to be seen but not described. 



Jogging along the trail which winds in and out along the banks of 

 a rugged gulch, with our eyes alert for obstacles, we reached the 

 " Half-way House " in the shadows of evening. This gulch imprisons 

 a beautiful mountain stream which dashes over the rocks with a 

 roar and throws its spray first on one side and then on the other. 

 At several points in the ascent we passed waterfalls of considerable 

 size and of great beauty. Once or twice the prismatic colors were 

 gorgeously exhibited on the rising mist from the falls, as the sun's 

 rays strained through it. At some places the trail was so narrow and 

 precipitous that the mules slowed down to a snail's pace and with the 

 utmost deliberation placed one foot before the other, while every 

 muscle in their bodies seemed to be quivering under the great tension. 

 On one side of the trail my hand and foot grazed the mountain side, 

 *hile, on the other, they were suspended over an apparently bot- 

 tomless abyss. I did not dare to fathom it with the eye, but I could 

 near the low gurgling of the water, like the rumbling of distant 

 thunder, as it rushed along the bed of this mighty canyon. Some- 

 times my mule halted and, extending one foot, pressed it gently 

 upon the ground to test its firmness, swaying the body slightly 

 toward the mountain to keep his load well balanced. I remained 

 Perfectly quiet in my seat, except to change the inclination of the 



