Deep ravines, in various directions, gave an
air of still sterner solemnity to the scene.
The natural platform to which we had clambered was thickly overgrown
with brambles, through which we soon discovered that it would have
been impossible to force our way but for the scythe; and Jupiter, by
direction of his master, proceeded to clear for us a path to the
foot of an enormously tall tulip-tree, which stood, with some eight or
ten oaks, upon the level, and far surpassed them all, and all other
trees which I had then ever seen, in the beauty of its foliage and
form, in the wide spread of its branches, and in the general majesty
of its appearance. When we reached this tree, Legrand turned to
Jupiter, and asked him if he thought he could climb it. The old man
seemed a little staggered by the question, and for some moments made
no reply. At length he approached the huge trunk, walked slowly around
it, and examined it with minute attention. When he had completed his
scrutiny, he merely said,
"Yes, massa, Jup climb any tree he ebber see in he life.
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