White Sulphur papers; or, Life at the springs of Western Virginia

45
CHAP. V.
RIDE TO THE SWEET SPRINGS SWEET SPRINGS.
One fTne racy morning, before sunrise, throwing our
cloaks over our shoulders, we rolled
off in an open
carriage id make a visit to the Sweet Springs, and
enjoy the ride before breakfast. We left the White
Sulphur long before the inhabitants of Parad'.se row
were stirring, and in a little wliile, our dapples were
winding then' way through some of the finest scenery,
romance or poetry had ever pictured.
Over a smooth beaten road, which seemed to have
been carved through the mountains, like the pass of
mount Athos, we went on, with woodland steeps on
each side of us, and afar for miles in front, we had
a refreshing perspective in the high green hills. Occasionally
in coming to a turn in the road, some new
wonder would open before us. At one time we
were bordered on each hand by a rocky palisade
of some hundred feet in height. And again where
the road was more narrow, we passed under natural
arbors, formed by the meeting of the tops of tha