The range of the Katzbergs ^'- rises abruptly from the plain on their eastern side, where the road that leads to the Mountain House enters them, and follows the margin of a deep, dark glen, through which flows a clear mountain stream seldom seen by the traveller, but heard continually for a mile and a half, as, in swift rapids or in little cascades, it hurries to the plain below. The road is sinuous, and in its ascent along the side of that glen, or more properly magnificent gorge, it is so enclosed by the towering hills on one side and the lofty trees that shoot up on the

* Tlie Indians called this range of hills On-ti-0-ra, signifj-ing, Mountains of llie Sky, for in some conditions of the atmosphere they are said to appear like a heavy cumulous cloud above the horizon. The Dutch called them Katzbergs, or Cat Mountains, because of the prevalence of panthers and wild-cats upon them. The word Cats-Kill is pai-tly EngUsh and partly Dutch : Katz-Kill, Dutch ; Cats-Creek, English.

THE HUDSON.

other, that little can be seen beyond a few rods, except the sky above, or glimpses of some distant summit, until the pleasant nook in the mountain is reached, wherein the Cabin of Kip Van Winkle is nestled. After that the course of the road is more nearly parallel with the river and the

WINKLi; S CABIN.

plain, and through frequent vistas glimpses may bo caught of the country below, that charm the eye, excite the fancy and the imagination, and make the heart throb quicker and stronger with pleasurable emotions.