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BERGEN’S PARK. 67

Indeed, some one has named the largest of them ‘the
Devil’s minsters. Though the ranch is apparently
closed in, except on the side of the great pass, down
which you look till Pike’s Peak seems to block the
way, and to compel the morning to climb over him, a
ride or drive of a few miles brings one to mountain
points whence views of surpassing loveliness and
erandeur can be obtained. We visited the finest of
these points one morning, the last mile or so of the
drive our road being made for us by our host, (who
proved himself a magnificent woodman, swinging his
ax like a very Coeur de Lion), and three of his guests,
who all valiantly fought their way or worked their
passage—one English officer of mighty mould bearing
off good-sized trees with the jaunty air of a young
Hercules swinging his club. That was a royal pro-
egress for us, driving leisurely over the road so gallantly
opened for us, seeing the wild young pines and cotton-
woods that disputed our passage falling on every side.
Our host has, within the past year, erected a new
ranch-house, roomy and pleasant, with open fire-place
as spacious as the one in that grand old feudal hall
of Warwick Castle, and also three cottages for visi-
tors. One of these, however, is designed for private
use during a portion of the year, being the forest lodge
of a wealthy English lady. It is a marvel of rustic
comfort and picturesqueness. This was assigned to
us, and we had rare delight in it. Each evening, after
watching out the sunset, which paid its last salute to
Pike’s Peak, we left the pleasant veranda for the large

 

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