Adirondack Peeks Summer 2023

White Face

the true line of descent, we came in contact with a tree. It was a large hemlock of twelve inches in diam eter, with a ledge of about ten tons weight back of it. We struck it fair. It held. I involuntarily put my hand to my neck to ascertain if my head had been snapped off. My head was still there. The discovery relieved me. I do not, it is true, know how a man would feel with his head off, but I do know how he feels when he un expectedly discovers that it is still on. As I sat meditating on what I should do next, I heard the sound as of some heavy body coming rapidly down the mountain. The next instant it came in sight. It was a horse! Its manner of descent was identical with mine, only consider ably more rapid. Being higher up when it started it had had a chance to improve on its gait, and was now making, as I judged, pretty nearly its

too. It was an awkward position. I realized it. Safety lay in the pony's pluck and power. Never did my af fection go out so strongly toward any animal. Never before did I know how much I could love a horse. I embraced him—putting my arms entirely around his neck. I exhorted him energetically with my voice, and a little otherwise. But no argument, no entreaty, could prevail on that animal to go ahead. On the other hand, he began to go behind. First one foot gave way, then another. When be slipped, I slipped. At last the movement backward began to get lively. If he kept improving his gait he would land me, as nearly as I could calculate, at the foot of the mountain in about ten minutes. The motion had already become so con siderable that the tails of my coat began to stream the wrong way; when, by a slight deviation from

best time. I can never describe my feelings as I sat and saw that horse coming toward me. It is possible for a brave man to stand and face rifle bullets and cannon balls. There is glory in it if you should get killed, and that thought helps some; but to have a whole horse shot at you at short range is absolutely appalling. But fortune favored me. The animal kept the straight line of descent, and went past without hitting me. Thankful for my deliverance, and inwardly vowing that I would never attempt to ride up a mountain again, I walked off my horse and toiled my way upward until I reached the Lodge just under the crest, where, ln the gathering darkness, I found the ladies safe and sound, and where we passed the night. Now, if there is a person who has any intention of writing me a letter, begging me to tell him if this

is a literal, truthful, and orthodox ac count of our ascent up White Face, I as sure him now be forehand that I shall never answer that note, but advise him to go and "ask John!" Morning dawned. Our feet were on the summit while yet the eastern sky was gray and cold. Anon a warmer hue spread over it. Three gleams of purple shot upward, wa vered and waved an instant, then stood in fixed formation. Around their bases a line of carnation appeared, and wid ened, until it became

"Whiteface from Cobble Hill" by Herbert S. Kates reprinted courtesey of Adirondack Experience.

SUMMER 2023 | 21