Yosemite in a Dry Year [pp. 99-108]

THE NEVADA FALL "BOOMING"
Stoneman with its insulting fripperies of
mill work decoration in pseudo French
styles.
Then there are the trails. They do not
change much and cannot change much.
The winter's avalanches sweep them away
in places year by year and they are rebuilt,
but it can hardly be told where. And there
are the same little mules with their tails
cut in fantastic tassels, to bear you up the
steeps.
The praises of the Yosemite mule have
not been sufficiently sung. They are patient
and intelligent little beasts, and when you
106
once turn their noses up a trail they require
no more steering, but will act as quite sufficient guides during the long and delightful day. They know their rights, too, and
knowing dare maintain; for on the steep
parts of the trail they claim their breathing
spells with a gentle insistence that baffles
all attempts to hurry them unduly. They
know, too, the points where the properly
regulated tourist should pause to admire,
and if he does not recognize them at once
they stop short and fall to cropping the
bushes beside the path. At the regulation
stopping places their pain and surprise is