Popocatapetl and Orizaba were to the Aztecs, so were the summits of the
White Mountains to the simple natives of this section. An ancient
tradition prevailed among them that a deluge once overspread the land
and destroyed every human being but a single powwow and his wife, who
fled for safety to these elevated regions, and thus preserved the race
from extermination. Their fancy peopled the mountains with invisible
beings, who indicated their presence and manifested their power by
storms and tempests, which they were believed to control with absolute
authority. The savages, therefore, never attempted to ascend the
summits, deeming the undertaking perilous, and success impossible. But,
though thus cherishing a superstitious respect for their utmost
elevations, they still frequented the environs and mountain defiles, and
propogated many marvelous stories of what they alleged could there be
seen. Among other things, they gave accounts of immense carbuncles seen
far up the steep and inaccessible sides, which shone in the darkness of
night with the most brilliant and dazzling splendor.

[Illustration: PEABODY RIVER AND MOUNT WASHINGTON.]

[Illustration: THE BOURNE MONUMENT.]

The first white men who visited these mountains, were Messrs. Neal,
Jocelyn, and Field, who explored the region carefully in the year 1632.
They were incited partly, no doubt, by curiosity, but more probably by
the hope of finding mineral treasure. They were disappointed in finding
gold, however, but they gave a glowing account of their adventures, and
of the extent and grandeur of the mountains, which they called Crystal
Hills. A few years later, Captain Richard Vines and others were
attracted there by the reports they heard. They remained some time in
their vicinity, but returned without anything more than a knowledge of
their romantic scenery and the fine facilities they afforded for game.
Since then, they have been frequented by hunters and men of science, and
within a number of years they have become one of the most fashionable
places of summer resort in the United States.

[Illustration: FRANCONIA MOUNTAINS, FROM THORNTON.]

The White Mountain plateau is approached by travellers from four
directions, namely: from the east by the Grand Trunk, Eastern, and
Ogdensburg Railroads; from the south by Lake Winnipiseogee and the
Pemigewassett rivers; from the south-west by way of Connecticut River
and White Mountain Railroad at Littleton, and from the