Page:Route Across the Rocky Mountains with a Description of Oregon and California.djvu/111

broke in two, about fifteen feet from the opposite shore, and the top was carried away; the main trunk, however, lodged against the upper part of a large rock, and the force of the current supported it above. From the broken end of this tree, we were able to throw poles across to the opposite shore, and in this manner we constructed a way, upon which we carried our baggage. Having repacked our horses, we continued up Juba River, traveling about an East course; sometimes in the narrow bottom of the stream, and sometimes upon the sides and summits of the ridges. The snow still continued deep, and covered both the bottoms and the mountains, in all parts, around us; but it was very compact, and in the morning would generally bear our animals. We traveled up the North side about eleven miles, and came to the forks of the stream; the North branch of which we crossed with difficulty, the current being very strong, and the channel full of large rocks, upon which some of our pack animals fell; and were carried down the stream: and we were compelled, to leap into the water, just melted from the snow, and assist them to the shore. Having crossed, we came into a prairie, about one mile in width, and three or four in length, extending to the base of the main ridge of the mountain; which now lay immediately before us. We ascended this ridge without much labor, although it was composed entirely of granite, which lay in large detached fragments, over the whole surface: and gained the summit. This, on either side of the narrow gap through which we passed, was very sharp, and perfectly bald and barren. Immediately upon reaching the summit, the whole Eastern side of the mountain burst upon the view; and a sudden thrill of joy, awakened in every bosom, and flashed in every eye: for the snow which had so much impeded, and made so disagreeable and dangerous, that ascent on the West, had melted almost entirely away, on the East. Down the mountain we could see a green spot, at the further end of a beautiful lake, which spread out in a broad crystal sheet below us. But although this was so pleasing to us, as it was not the third day since our animals had had any nourishment, we could not but remain, for a moment to admire and enjoy the vastness of the prospect around us. On either side, there was no limit to the vision, save the thickning air of the distant horizon, which bent down, and rested upon the far off hills, like the bending sky, upon the bosom of the great deep. Within this wide range, was a succession of mountain after mountain, increasing in height, as they