certain narrow valleys. The 'standing rock' is a huge column,
occupying the centre of one of these passes. It fell from a height
of perhaps 3,000 feet, and happened to remain in its present upright
position.

"At last, on the 6th of September, the object for which their eyes
had long been straining was brought to view.

"September 6. -- This time we reached the butte without any
difficulty; and ascending to the summit, immediately at our feet
beheld the object of our anxious search, the waters of the Inland
Sea, stretching in still and solitary grandeur, far beyond the limit
of our vision. It was one of the great points of the exploration;
and as we looked eagerly over the lake in the first emotions of
excited pleasure, I am doubtful if the followers of Balboa felt
more enthusiasm when, from the heights of the Andes, they saw for
the first time the great Western Ocean. It was certainly a magnificent
object, and a noble terminus to this part of our expedition;
and to travellers so long shut up among mountain ranges, a sudden
view over the expanse of silent waters had in it something sublime.
Several large islands raised their high rocky heads out of the
waves; but whether or not they were timbered was still left to
our imagination, as the distance was too great to determine if the
dark hues upon them were woodland or naked rock. During the day the
clouds had been gathering black over the mountains to the westward,
and while we were looking, a storm burst down with sudden fury upon
the lake, and entirely hid the islands from our view.

"On the edge of the stream a favorable spot was selected in a grove,
and felling the timber, we made a strong corral, or horse pen, for