he scars and rifts still
existing near their confluence.

This John's Brook, by the way, is the shortest route up Mount Tahawus,
the entire distance from the 'Flats' being only ten miles. As the
greater number of visitors, however, desire to see the Au Sable Ponds
_en passant_, no path has been 'bushed out,' and that mode of ascent is
practicable only for hunters or woodsmen familiar with the region.

At length a 'wind blew out of the north, chilling and killing' that
terrible haze, and rendering the prospect of a distant view at least
possible. Tahawus loomed up before the mind's eye clear and majestic.
Such an invitation being irresistible, the little party were soon ready
for their journey, said party consisting of Elsie, E. B. C., and Lucy
D., with three guides--an old pioneer, short, slight, weather-beaten,
and sun-browned, a younger aspirant for scouting honors, tall, handsome,
and athletic, and a novice, making his first ascent of the kingly
mountain, but offering a pair of broad shoulders that promised to do
good service in the bearing of the necessary packs. Each guide carried
his own axe, blanket, and provisions, and, in addition, his share of our
united baggage, which consisted of a thick Mexican blanket, four shawls,
two heavy and two lighter, a woollen cap, a water-proof cloak with hood,
one overcoat, two loaves of bread, a small piece of salt pork, a little
can of butter, two or three pounds of maple sugar, a little bag of
cornmeal, two pounds of crackers, the same quantity of chocolate, some
tea, a small tin pail, a frying pan, three tin saucers, three knives,
forks, and spoons. A pint of brandy and the same of whiskey were carried
in flasks to meet emergencies of cold or weariness, and a canteen for
water was also taken to serve as a pitcher, and to bear that refreshing
element to heights where no springs could be hoped for. It will be seen
that we had reduced our appliances to the smallest quantity compatible
with proper warmth and nourishment, and the possibility of being
detained out several days, perhaps, by stress of weather. We had at
first thought india-rubber blankets indispensable, but having been
advised against their use as conducive to rheumatism, and, besides,
finding them difficult to procure, we started without, and certainly
never missed them. The garments worn on such an excursion should, as far
as practicable, all be woollen, and the shoes moderately thick, but not
too heavy. A light u