At last we reached the top, and here a scene burst upon us which was rather startling.

The hill was high enough to command an extensive view, and the first thing that we saw was a vast extent of woods and water and smoke.

By-and-by we were able to distinguish each.

The water was the river, which could be seen for miles.

Up the river toward the left the smoke arose in great volumes, covering every thing; while in front of us, and immediately between us and the river, there was a line of smoke which showed that the fires had penetrated there and had intercepted us.
"We stood still in bewilderment.