by arrows or spears.

The entire dress of Fremont and his party, on their ascent to the
"top of America," consisted of a blue flannel shirt, free and open
at the neck, the collar turning down over a black silk handkerchief
tied loosely, blue cloth pantaloons, a slouched broad brimmed hat,
and moccasins as above described. It was well adapted to climbing,
quite light, and at the same time warm, and every way comfortable.

"Putting hands and feet in the crevices between the blocks, I
succeeded in getting over it, and when I reached the top, found my
companions in a small valley below. Descending to them, we continued
climbing, and in a short time reached the crest. I sprang upon the
summit and another step would have precipitated me into an immense
snow field five hundred feet below. To the edge of this field was
a sheer icy precipice; and then, with a gradual fall, the field
sloped off for about a mile, until it struck the foot of another
lower ridge. I stood on a narrow crest about three feet in width,
with an inclination of about 20 degrees N. 51 degrees E. As soon
as I had gratified the first feelings of curiosity I descended, and
each man ascended in turn, for I would only allow one at a time to
mount the unstable and precarious slab, which it seemed a breath
would hurl into the abyss below. We mounted the barometer in the
snow of the summit, and, fixing a ramrod in a crevice, unfurled
the national flag, to wave in the breeze, where never flag waved
before. During our morning's ascent, we met no sign of animal life,
except a small bird having the appearance of a sparrow. A stillness
the most profound, and a terrible solitude forced themselves
constantly on the mind as the great features of the place. Here,
on the summit, where the stillness was absolute, unbroken by any