A little later, as I stood on the tremendous verge overlooking Mirror Lake, a flock of smaller clouds, white as snow, came from the north, trailing their downy skirts over the dark forests, and entered the Valley with solemn god-like gestures through Indian Canyon and over the North Dome and Royal Arches, moving swiftly, yet with majestic deliberation.

On they came, nearer and nearer, gathering and massing beneath my feet and filling the Tenaya Canyon.

Then the sun shone free, lighting the pearly gray surface of the cloud-like sea and making it glow.

Gazing, admiring, I was startled to see for the first time the rare optical phenomenon of the "Specter of the Brocken." My shadow, clearly outlined, about half a mile long, lay upon this glorious white surface with startling effect.

I walked back and forth, waved my arms and struck all sorts of attitudes, to see every slightest movement enormously exaggerated.