would be completely smothered and destroyed, when suddenly, the entire
river of white was deflected by an erosion that had cut a wayward
pathway across the mountainside. This attracted the slide down into
the ravine. And as its mass went over the edge of the gulch, fine
powdery particles filled the air, but nothing more than a dull,
grinding sound rose to me as a tremor shook the ground, and I realized
that it had found its end in the canyon.
"Upon my return to the ranch, I was told that that slide had cut down
and ruined fifty thousand fine trees. Nothing could be done with them
after such a battle with the slide.
"But the next day, as I still thrilled with the memory of the immense
slide, I heard a rumbling sound just above where we were. Tally
screamed, 'Look out. She come!'
"I saw snow sliding across a shallow depression above, and heading
straight for me. Tally had managed to scramble quickly out of the way,
and I worked those snowshoes faster than anything I ever did before or
since--believe me!
"Before I could reach a safety zone, however, I was caught in the
outer edge of the avalanche and whirled along for some distance. By
dint of working those same snowshoes I managed to gain the extreme
edge, where I flung myself recklessly out into space, not knowing
where I might land.
"Fortunately, I was left sprawling with legs and arms about a pine,
while the slide rioted on without me. I lifted my bruised head because
I wished to see all I could of it, and I was able to witness the havoc
it wrought in its descent. When it reached the bottom of the mountain
it collided with a rocky wall on an opposite cliff. The first meeting
of the snow with this powerful resistance curled it backward upon
itself, while the rest of the slide piled up on top, and quickly
filled the narrow valley with its debris.
"Had I not been so near the line of least suction, or had I been in
the middle of that fearful slide, nothing could have saved me. I
should have been buried under tons of snow even if I survived a
death-dealing blow from a rock or tree during the descent.
"Now, Julie, do you still care to experience a hand-to-hand battle
with a slide?"
"If it wasn't for all such thrilling adventures, Gilly, you wouldn't
be so entertaining. When one is in the Rockies, one looks for
experiences that go _with_ the Rockies," declared the girl.
Mr. Gilroy shook his head as if to say Julie was hopeless. But Joan
laughingly remarked, "A snowslide wouldn't be any wilder than Julie's
visit to old man Good Arrow in his castle."
"And about as frightful as the pit he would have thrown Julie into,"
added Mr. Gilroy.
"Joking aside, Scouts. We expect to meet with various thrilling
adventures during our sojourn in the Rockies, and I don't believe one
takes such dire risks if one is careful," said Julie.
"Maybe not, but you are not careful. In fact, you take 'dire risks'
every time," retorted Mr. Gilroy.
Nothing was said for a few minutes, then Tally spoke, "Mees'r
Gilloy--him come to Boulder, pooty quick!"
"Ha, that's good news!" remarked Mr. Vernon.
"Yes, and our little scheme worked fine, eh, Uncle," laughed Mr.
Gilroy. But all the coaxings from the scouts could not make either man
say what that scheme had been.
At Boulder the party gladly left the wagon for Tally to deliver to his
brother, and the horses were turned over to the man they were intended
for. While Tally was waiting for his brother's arrival, Mr. Gilroy
found he could conduct his party through the Boulder Canyon, known as
"The Switzerland Trail."
So they got on a train and rode through a canyon which, as the name
suggested, was everywhere lined with great boulders of all shapes and
sizes. Here a roaring torrent would cleave a way down to the bottom of
the canyon, while there an abrupt wall of rock defied the elements and
all things else to maintain its stand.
At Tungsten, the end of the trail, the scouts visited the district
where this metal is mined. When they were through with the visit, Mr.
Gilroy told the girls that Boulder County's record of income from
tungsten alone was more than five million dollars a year.
The State University at Boulder was visited upon the return of the
scout tourists to that city. Here the girls learned that the campus
covered over sixty acres of ground, and that the university boasted of
twenty-two splendidly equipped buildings, equal to any in the world.
It also had a library of its own that numbered about eighty-three
thousand volumes. The value of the buildings approximated one million,
seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
"It doesn't seem possible, when you look around at what this place
is--or seems to be!" exclaimed Ruth.
"Which goes to prove that appearances are not necessarily harmonious
with facts," returned Mrs. Vernon, smilingly.
When they met Tally, who was waiting at the place appointed, Julie
asked, "Where do we go from here, Gilly?"
"We'll follow Tally, as he seems to have a plan back of that grin,"
returned Mr. Gilroy.
Every one turned to look at Tally, who in turn seemed quite taken by
surprise, as he said, "Tally no plan!"
"Ah, Tally! Will you never understand my winks!" sighed Mr. Gilroy. "I
wanted you to help me out while I evaded an issue with these dreadful
Scouts."
"Um, Tally glad to if Mees'r Gilloy onny tell him."
The others laughed at this guileless confession, and Mr. Gilroy shook
his head despairingly. Then he said, "Well, I suppose I must 'fess
up.'"
"Of course, if you have any hidden schemes back in _your_ brain,"
Julie retorted.
"This is it! Tally heard of a number of excellent horses to be had
from a rancher near Loveland, so rather than wait about here for him
to go and bring them back, we will go on to Loveland by train, and
start from that place to ride through the Rocky Mountain National
Park.
"You see, my first plan is entirely upset by a prairie schooner, an
Indian, and a horse-dealer. I had expected to ride from Denver on
horses secured there, and go to Ward. Then on across the Divide and so
on to Hot Sulphur Springs and Steamboat Springs. But it seems the
itinerary revised itself,--and it may turn out to be a good improvement
on mine," said Mr. Gilroy.
"How far is the Continental Divide from Loveland?" asked Joan.
"That all depends on how far we want it to be," laughed Mr. Vernon.
"One can get there in no time, or one can stop at all the attractive
points along the trail and spend weeks reaching the Divide."
Then Mr. Gilroy added, "I propose leaving Loveland by an old Indian
Trail Tally knows of, and thus reach Estes Park. We will take in
Long's Peak on the way, and then ride on to the Divide, stopping to
climb any peak we think interesting, or visit any park or moraine
along the route."
So the party reached Loveland, where Tally bargained shrewdly with a
rancher for the horses and two mules for the tourists. Naturally the
rancher wished to sell his horses outright, but Tally convinced him
how much better an arrangement it would be for all concerned to rent
the animals for the season, leaving a cash security deposited with a
bank to cover the loss in case any or all of the horses were lost or
injured on the way. If all were returned to the rancher in good
condition, Mr. Gilroy would receive his deposit back.
This entire section of Colorado was created a National Park by
Congress, in January, 1915. And Estes Park is to the National Park
what a beauty patch is to the face of a belle--the point of attraction
that focuses the eye of the admirer.
This National Park offers plenty of room for more than a million
campers, without one being so near his neighbor as to give a sense of
encroachment. For those Americans who love the untrammeled life of the
woods, this park provides wonderful trout streams; flora and fauna
most surprising and beautiful; and not only plains, valleys, ravines,
and mountain peaks as diverting places to visit, but lakes, rivers,
falls, and every ideal spot of Nature that one craves to see.
In this National Park you may come unexpectedly upon a caribou grazing
on the luscious grass, or in spring you may find a doting she-bear,
leading her cubs to feast on the tender green shoots. But let your
boots make the slightest noise, both these wild creatures will
disappear so suddenly that you will rub your eyes to make sure you are
awake. Other furred and feathered inhabitants of the forests will sit,
screened behind the foliage and fern, laughing silently at your
amateur ways of discovering them.
You may not be woodsman enough ever to spy them, but they are about,
just the same. Furtive eyes will watch your every movement as you ride
along the trail. The partridge that has effaced himself by merging his
mottled feathers with the shaggy bark where he is hidden, saw every
least thing you did. The wild hare, covered with tall grasses and
fern, flicked his long ears in fun, when your awkward steps passed
within an inch of his nose, and you never dreamed of his sitting
there! The squirrels and woodchucks wondered at your clumsy ways in
the wilderness. Did they not leap and run joyously without a sound?
And you only have two feet to manage while they have four! In short,
every denizen of the forest about you will know as if the message were
flashed by wire, that a mere MAN is on his way through their domains.
The Park realm stretches along on the mountain top at an altitude of
nine thousand feet, and more. And it embraces the most rugged section
of the Continental Divide. Long's Peak rises about fourteen thousand
two hundred feet high, and towers above the park plateau. It looks
down upon ten or more other peaks that are only thirteen thousand feet
high, and many more of twelve thousand feet altitude. Long's Peak is
rocky and not easy to climb, but perfectly safe for man or beast. It
is also free from the treacherous ice and snow that so often causes
slides. Hence one can reach its summit, where a view of over a hundred
miles of country is to be had. The Park is about twenty-five miles
long and from ten to twenty miles wide.
This, then, was the wonderful place the scouts of Dandelion Troop were
to visit and glory in.
CHAPTER FIVE
HITTING THE TRAIL
The horses Tally had contracted for were all the tourists could
desire. They were sure-footed and experienced mountain climbers; they
could go without food or water for a longer period than ordinary
animals, as they had been so accustomed. They were not heavy, but wiry
and muscular,--in short, the genuine ranch horse of the Rocky
Mountains. The two pack mules, named Frolic and Jolt, were
sleepy-looking beasts, but it was only in appearance. Once they
started on the trail they proved splendid carriers, even though they
took life their own way.
The little cavalcade left the hotel at Loveland the center of curious
eyes, for the summer tourists stopping at the inn had heard of the
well-known geologist and the Troop of Scouts. As few members of the
interesting organization of Girl Scouts had ever been through the
Rockies, this Troop created quite a diversion for visitors.
Tally soon turned from the beaten track that most tourists take in
going to Estes Park, and led his party to the old abandoned Indian
Trail. Finally they came to a cool shadowy thread of a path that could
be distinguished only because the trees were not closely interlocked
each with the others.
At this hour the forest was like the translucence of the sea, bathing
everything in the cool green light of its depths; and the exhilarating
effect was the same as the salt tang of an ocean bath.
"Makes one feel as if one were in church at Vesper time," softly
declared Julie, glancing at the arched aisles they were riding
through.
"Was ever cathedral so solemn, so beautiful, as this of Nature?"
replied Mrs. Vernon, in a reverent tone.
Then for another long period all was silence again, as the scouts rode
along, breathing in the beauty of the "silent places." When they had
traveled about ten miles along this secret trail, with its
ever-changing panorama of scenes, the swishing of a stream was heard.
Soon after, the riders came to tumbling waters, that seemed in haste
to go over the cliff that caused them to fall into a shadowy pool far
below. Great rocks, overhanging pines, and gorgeous flora edged both
sides of the waterfall, making a picture impossible to describe.
They descended the steep declivity that skirted the falls and picked
up the trail again at the bottom. Here the scouts found several brooks
that ran from the pool, but that were entirely separated from the main
stream. Tally examined these canals carefully, and then held up a hand
for attention.
"Scout hear beaver work? Dis beaver-canal."
"Oh, really!" whispered the girls, excitedly. "If we could only watch
them at work!"
They distinctly heard the "tap, tap, tap" of something softly thudding
against wood, while Tally leaned over to speak.
"Mebbe kin see beaver. Leave horse tie here, an' follow Tally sof'ly
to colony. But make some noise an' beaver dive home."
The scouts promised to be very careful not to make a sound in
following the guide, and so they dismounted to secure the horses and
mules until their return from the beaver pond.
The scouts now had their first glimpse of these industrious little
workers, that are found in large colonies everywhere throughout the
Rocky Mountains. This particular colony had dug the canals from the
pool to their pond, which was located in a bowl-like depression of the
woods, and there dammed up the outlet. But few marauders passed here,
and they lived in peace in their selected home-site.
There was a good growth of aspens all about the section, and these
would supply food and lodgings for some time to come. The huts were
erected in the middle of the largest pond of the chain. There were
several beavers at work cutting the aspens when the party arrived on
the edge of the pond, but so keen is the hearing and scent of these
harmless animals, that they stopped work instantly, and slipped into
the water, swimming unseen until they reached their huts.
"Huh! Dem 'fraid!" ejaculated Tally, with disgust on his face. "Come
'long--us see udder places."
Then he led through the aspen forest that fringed the pond, and
reached the outlet where the dam had been constructed by the beavers.
Here the scouts saw a shallow waterfall that fed another canal; this
stream ended in another, but smaller, pond than the upper one they had
first found. In this pond were a number of large huts, and many
beavers at work at the farthest side of the pond.
"I believe they are building another dam, Tally!" exclaimed Mr.
Gilroy, under his breath.
"Um--he am. Scout sit and watch."
So they all sat on the brink of the pond silently watching the busy
workers as they cut down trees, dragged them into the water and then
swam with them to the dam, where other beavers helped to place the
heavy tree trunks in such a manner that any dead wood or debris
floating downstream would catch and help to dam up the water.
"Why do they build another pond when there is such a big one above?"
asked Betty.
Mr. Gilroy replied, "There is plenty of food for the family that now
resides in the huts in the upper pond, but the colony is increasing so
fast that they know there will not be room enough, or food enough, for
all this winter. Hence they are building now, to provide ample shelter
for the future. By starting another dam and thus creating a pond,
these wise little woodsmen also secure an area of new aspens that will
feed the new colony.
"Those canals that you see running out into the flat land beyond the
new pond, are used as water courses to float the trees along into
their pond. It is too bad we cannot see a beaver cut an aspen from
that growth, and watch him float it until he brings it to its
destination at the dam.
"But you can watch, from this vantage point, those old fellows at
work. You see that big beaver that sits at one side of the two now
cutting--well, he is the boss of that job. It is up to him to choose
the best aspens for cutting and order his men to begin work, while he
watches. Then when the tree is almost cut through he will warn them
away, take up the work himself, and push on the severed trunk until it
crashes down in the direction he wishes it to fall.
"You'll see how clever they are to have the aspen fall as near the
water as possible, that they need waste no energy in dragging it over
the ground to the pond."
The scouts watched, and sure enough! The old boss took up the work at
a given signal to his two helpers to stand back, and soon after that,
the aspen fell, half of it in the water. But the beavers must have
heard a suspicious sound just as they were going to drag the tree
across the pond, and they scuttled under the water.
Reluctantly the scouts turned away and went back to their horses,
which they mounted, and soon they were riding along the way again.
"I never saw such enchanting flowers and gorgeous ferns!" exclaimed
the Captain, enthusiastically.
"Um!" came from Tally, proudly, "him got more'n t'ousan' kin' flower
in park!"
"Really! Oh, that we might secure one of each for a collection!"
sighed Julie.
"It would take you longer than this summer to accomplish that,"
remarked Mr. Gilroy. "Here you will find some of the rarest orchids,
as well as the hardiest kinds, known. Besides, you will find about
fifteen species of gentian, the famous blue-fringed gentian among
them. The largest columbines ever found grow here; and sweet peas in
all conceivable shades of coloring. Not only can you add wonders to
the botanical collections that you started in the Adirondacks, but you
ought to be able to study many marvelous birds that nest in this
primeval park."
So they rode along, stopping frequently to gather interesting flowers
beside the trail, and to admire and watch the birds that could be seen
everywhere.
[Illustration: "Jule, tell me about that bird swinging over your head"]
It was during one of these short rests which had been caused by a
crested bird of wonderful hue and unfamiliar form, that Joan and
Julie, with a camera in hand, pushed a way through the bushes, the
better to follow the bird's movements.
"Joan, you sit down there on that fallen pine and write down notes as
I call them off, and I will climb up on top of that huge boulder and
get a snapshot at him as he swings from that bough," said Julie, as
she began climbing the rock mentioned.
Once she gained the top, she called back, "Of all the surprises! On
the other side of this boulder is a steep descent that drops down to a
dark pool. Now who would ever have dreamed there was such a pool
behind this rock!"
"Don't bother about pools or precipices now, Julie, but tell me about
that bird, swinging right over your head. He'll fly away, if you don't
'make hay'!" laughed Joan, waiting with pencil suspended over the pad
of paper.
The rest of the party had heard Julie's exclamation, and were urging
their horses through the thick forest, nearer the two scouts. Tally
jumped from his animal and came in the direction of the boulder,
trying to catch a glimpse of the bird they were talking about.
"Jo, I really believe it is a young Rocky Mountain jay--the kind Gilly
described to us. He is hopping into the higher branches now, and I can
hardly see him," said Julie.
"Dear me, Julie! If only we could swear that we got a snapshot and
description of the jay from actually watching him, what a fine thing
it would be when we get home!" sighed Joan.
"Wait--I'll get out on the far end of this immense rock and try to get
a full view of him," said Julie, moving across the top of the stone to
the outer verge of it.
Suddenly the boulder began settling slowly down towards the pool. The
soil underneath it had all been washed out by torrential rains, so
that it barely hung in position when Julie climbed upon it. Now that
she added her weight to its outer side, it began rolling--turning over
and over in its heavy descent.
"Oh, oh! Save me, somebody! I'll be crushed to powder!" screamed
Julie, who could not jump from that great height into the jungle, nor
could she maintain a footing without doing the liveliest dance of her
life.
It was well that the boulder was so heavy, and the pathway it rolled
down so soft as to make it sink into the soil and grip a _digging_
hold, as it turned and turned. Had the ground been rocky or the
boulder smaller, it would have simply hurled itself into the water,
carrying Julie with it.
Now, however, she danced and kept stepping like a trained circus
animal does on a barrel to keep it rolling, while Joan cried
fearfully, and Tally rushed through the bushes to gain the bottom of
the gully. Julie had ceased screaming the moment she saw she was to be
catapulted to an unforeseen doom, and now kept her wits about her to
plan an escape.
She saw that the rock would settle down in the pool at about the same
speed it took in rolling, and then she must be all prepared to spring
off from its side, far out into the water, or be sucked underneath
when it went down. If the pool was shallow, she would be forced to
slide off at the moment the boulder struck and would be left standing
up in the water. She must wait to determine the best chance to take.
The time it took from the first starting of the rock down the grade to
its striking the water was but a fraction of the time it takes to
tell. Suddenly the huge boulder plunged into the quiet-looking pool,
churning up the water to a froth, and instantly causing a "tidal wave"
to raise the pool far beyond its customary water line and flow up the
banks. The water, which had hitherto reflected every leaf and blade
hanging over its surface, was so very deep that the monolith sank into
its secret heart and was completely submerged.
As the rock sank, Julie sprang, taking her chances in striking
something in the pool. But she escaped accident, and swam out of the
whirling waters almost before the boulder had disappeared. Tally
reached the pool as she jumped, and now flung himself in to help
rescue her. She was equal to the test, however, and came up on land,
dripping, but exultant and breathless from the dance and swim.
Tally helped her up the deep gully the rock had gouged out in its
downward roll; and at the top where she had left Joan, there now stood
waiting to embrace her, the entire party of riders. When all crying
and hugging was ended, Julie laughed and said:
"Folks, give me a boulder-ride in the Rockies, every time, instead of
an ordinary toboggan! Even snowshoes and skis are tame in comparison."
They laughed because they were so relieved at Julie's escape, but the
Captain exchanged glances with Mr. Gilroy, and both shook their heads
in despair of ever taming such a wild creature.
"In future, Julie, leave a Rocky Mountain jay where it hides, and
study the colored prints shown in the bird book," advised Mr. Vernon,
who had felt both for himself and his wife the severe nervous strain
while the incident was being enacted.
"Oh, Uncle, half the fun of scouting in the Rockies comes from just
these experiences. Just think of all we can talk about this winter,
when we are hibernating at home!" exclaimed Julie, ready in spirit, at
least, for another joy-ride.
They now resumed the trip that had been so unexpectedly interrupted,
and came to an elevation in the trail. From this point they had a
glorious view of the surrounding peaks in the park. Tally pointed out
Long's Peak, which towered over their heads, and Mt. Meeker alongside
it, which appeared almost as high. Mt. Washington and Storm Peak were
so closely allied to the first two heights that they looked like four
points of the one mountain.
Mr. Gilroy waved his hand to the northwest of Long's Peak, saying,
"All that region is called Glacier Gorge, where we are bound for.
There are concentrated the enormous gorges, cliffs, and other
glaciated freaks caused by cataclysms that occurred aeons ago. In my
opinion, there is no lake, waterfall, or other beauty of the Alps that
can compare to this Glacier Gorge, and I have seen them all."
"If we are so near by, why can't we visit them all?" asked Joan.
Mrs. Vernon took fright, "_Never_--with the responsibility for you
girls on my hands!"
"But, Verny, if we slip, we won't be on your _hands_,--it will be a
glaciated scout on an ice-floe," laughed Julie.