UNTAIN

BY GUSTAVUS FRANKENSTEIN.

I.

Many years ago, I was roving in a land strange and wonderful to me. It
was a tropical country, and I was wandering alone among the grand
scenery of the mountains, and the luxuriant vegetation of the
hill-sides and valleys.

I had with me but few implements, and these, such as were light and
easy to carry. A hunting-knife, a small hatchet, a canteen and a few
marching necessaries made up my kit.

One day while rambling about, living on the bountiful supplies of fruit
nature provides in that charming region, I came to a deep lake
surrounded by steep hills. On the opposite side of this lake I could
see a narrow gap or cleft, which seemed to lead to the higher ground. I
therefore made a raft,--not without considerable trouble,--and paddled
it across the lake. I found the gap quite narrow at its entrance, but
it soon became wider, while far forward, at the end of the chasm, there
appeared to be a series of rude steps.

I fastened the raft to the rock, in doing which I had the ill luck to
drop my hatchet into the deep water, and, notwithstanding the evil
omen, made my way into the crevice. I passed over the rough bottom of
the chasm until I came to the steps; these I ascended. At a height of
about a hundred feet I came to a wall of rock, the top of which I could
just reach with the ends of my fingers. By a great effort, I got a good
hold of the edge of the rock, and drew myself up.

When I stood at last upon the upper ground, I saw before me the most
beautiful trees and flowers I had yet met with. On either side the
rocks retreated and rose steeply to the summits I had partially seen
from the lake below. As I passed on and surveyed the plateau, I found
it to be a valley about a mile in diameter, encompassed by precipices
more or less abrupt. With but little trouble I found a place of easy
ascent, and soon climbed to the top of the rocky wall.

The delight I now experienced surpassed everything I had ever known.
Spread out before me, as I stood upon an eminence somewhat above the
general level, was a vast expanse overflowing with vegetation and
extending for miles in every direction, whilst all round about rose the
mighty domes and pinnacles of snow-clad mountains. I stood in the midst
of the sublimest mountain scenery in the world. I could look down upon
the beautiful lake, and up at the giant peaks, and all about me upon
the fruitful verdure, whilst the atmosphere was charge