THE ZENITH OF THE SOUTH The sun of the first day of July, which was to witness the beginning of the most tremendous event in the history of America, dawned hot and clouded with vapors.

They hung in the valleys, over the steep stony hills and along the long blue slopes of South Mountain.

The mists made the country look more fantastic to Harry, who was early in the saddle.
The great uplifts and projections of stone assumed the shapes of castles and pyramids and churches.
Over South Mountain, on the west, heavy black clouds floated, and the air was close and oppressive.
"Rain, do you think ?" said Harry to Dalton.
"No, just a sultry day.

Maybe a wind will spring up and drive away all these clouds and vapors.

At least, I hope so.