10
joint, while fighting for glory and Emperor William. The palm of
the hand represents the main body, or north part, of the lake. The
fingers and thumb, spread to their utmost extent--the thumb and little
finger being much the longest--represent inlets indenting the south shore,
and stretching inland, as if to wash away the Rocky Mountains. Between
these inlets project high, rocky promontories, covered with dense timber.
The largest stream flows into the lake at its upper end, or the extreme
south-east corner. This stream is really the Yellowstone River, which,
for a distance of thirty miles, has an average width of over fifteen miles.
This enlargement constitutes the lake, which, after being augmented by
several smaller streams, narrows down to the width of an eighth of a mile,
and flows northward toward the great falls.
The mood of the lake is ever changing; the character
of its shore is ever varying. At one moment, it is placid and glassy
as a calm summer's sea; at the next, "it breaks into dimples, and laughs
in the sun." Half an hour later, beneath a stormy sky, its waters
may be broken and lashed into an angry and dangerous sea, like the short,
choppy waves which rise in storms on Lake Erie and Lake Michigan.
Where we first saw it, it had a glittering beach of gray and rock-crystal
sand, but as we continued around it, we found rocky and muddy shores, gravel
beaches--on which several varieties of chalcedony were profusely scattered--and
hot springs in abundance. Near the south-east end of the lake is
the highest peak in the vicinity. It is steep and barren, and from
the lake-shore appears to taper to a point. On the south side
is a precipice, nearly a thousand feet high. Two of the party ascended
it. It took them all of one day to make the trip and return.
About two-thirds of the way up they were obliged to leave their horses,
and continue the ascent on foot. The altitude of the mountain, as
obtained by observations with the barometer and thermometer, was 11,163
feet. Much snow was found before reaching the summit. A fine
view of the surrounding country, and a good idea of the shape of the lake,
were obtained. Immense steam-jets were seen to the south; but as
our time was becoming somewhat limited, we did not remain to visit them.
Several barometrical calculations were made; and we determined the height
of the lake to be 8,300 feet.
On the south side of the lake we found dense timber,
much of which was fallen. Through it were no trails, and traveling
was exceedingly difficult. Many large trees had fallen, with their
branches clear out into the lake, rendering it very hard to follow the
lake-shore. We, however, kept the shore as much as possible, except
when we cut across the bases of the promontories; though on one occasion
we crossed a low divide in the main chain, and camped on the head-waters
of Snake River, without finding it out for a day or two afterward.
We thought the brook on which we were camped circled around, and ran into
the lake.
While straggling irregularly through the dense timber
which covers the main chain, of the party, Mr. Everts, became separated
from the rest of us; but his disappearance was unnoticed until we reached
a small strip of open country on the head-waters of Snake River.
Leaving the party for a short time, either in pursuit of game or for the
purpose of viewing the country, was not an unusual occurrence with members
of the expedition; and consequently little was thought of Mr. Everts' absence.
We, however, at once camped, and waited for him to catch up.
One of the pack animals was missing; and the two
packers, together with one of the party, went back on the trail to find
him, hoping also to meet Mr. Ev- Go
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