almost impossible by fair means, so I have been trying for some time
past to excite in the breasts of our home party and of our nearest
neighbours an ardent desire to see the sun rise from the top of
"Flagpole," a hill 3,000 feet above the level of the sea, and only
a: couple of miles from the house. As soon as they were
sufficiently enthusiastic on the subject, I broached my favourite
project of our all going up there over-night, and camping out on the
highest peak. Strange to say, the plan did not meet with any
opposition, even from F---, who has had to camp out many a winter's
night, and with whom, therefore, the novelty may be said to have
worn off. Two gentlemen of the proposed party were "new chums" like
myself, and were strongly in favour of a little roughing; new-chums
always are, I observe. F--- hesitated a little about giving a final
consent on the score of its being rather too late in the year, and
talked of a postponement till next summer, but we would not listen
to such an idea; so he ended by entering so heartily into it, that
when at last the happy day and hour came, an untoward shower had not
the least effect in discouraging him.

There was a great bustle about the little homestead on that eventful
Tuesday afternoon. Two very steady old horses were saddled, one for
me and the other for one of the "new chums," who was not supposed to
be in good form for a long walk, owing to a weak knee. Everything
which we thought we could possibly want was heaped on and around us
after we had mounted; the rest of the gentlemen, four in number,
walked, and we reached the first stage of our expedition in about an
hour. Here we dismounted, as the horses could go no further in
safety. The first thing done was to see to their comfort and
security; the saddles were carefully deposited under a large
flax-bush in case of rain, and the long tether ropes were arranged