I should be glad, both for my own sake, and for the renown which would attach to my mission if the Great Eyrie proved the center of the most remarkable phenomena--of which I would discover the cause.
Our ascent began in this order.

The two guides went in front to seek out the most practicable paths.

Elias Smith and I followed more leisurely.

We mounted by a narrow and not very steep gorge amid rocks and trees.

A tiny stream trickled downward under our feet.