"We followed the Opalescent River to the foot of the Peak of Tahawus, on the borders of the high valley

which separates that mountain from Mount Golden, at an elevation nine hundred feet above the highest peaks of the Cattskill range on the Lower Hudson. There the water is very cold, the forest trees are somewhat stunted and thickly planted, and the solitude complete. The silence was almost oppressive. Game-birds and beasts of the chase are there almost

'ALL IN THE OP.\LESCENT EIVEB.

THE HUDSON.

unknown. Tlie wild cat and wolreriue alone prowl over that lofty valley, where rises one of the chief fountains of the Hudson, and we hoard the voice of no living creature excepting the hoarse croak of the raven.

It was noon when we reached this point of departure for the summit of Tahawus. We had been four hours travelling six miles, and yet in that pure mountain air we felt very little fatigue. There we found an excellent bark -'camp," and traces of recent occupation. Among them

"^a^^^^ '■'^^' '^ 'S V'"'^

CI.TMDIXG TAIIAWI f.

was part of a metropolitan newspaper, and light ashes. "We dined upon bread and butter and maple sugar, in a sunny spot in front of the cabin, and then commenced the ascent, lea\ang our provisions and other things at the camp, where we intended to repose for the night. The journey upward was two miles, at an angle of forty-five degrees to the base of the rocky pinnacle. "We had no path to follow. The guides "blazed" the larger trees (striking off chips with their axes), that they might with more ease find their way back to the camp. Almost the entire surface