Page:Boy scouts in the White Mountains; the story of a long hike (IA boyscoutsinwhite00eato).pdf/298

 last twelve miles over bare rocks, he evidently came up over the southern ridges somewhere, possibly the Giant's Stairs and Boott Spur. The north peaks were not explored and named till 1820, less than a hundred years ago. Lafayette, over in Franconia, was not climbed till 1826."

"But weren't there any Indian names for these mountains?" Peanut persisted.

"They called the whole Presidential range, or perhaps the whole White Mountains by the name Agiocochook," the man answered. "I'm afraid my knowledge ceases there. Our forefathers didn't make any special effort to learn what the Indians did call things, or to respect their names any more than their lands. Certainly we've done badly in our naming. Clay, for instance, and Franklin, were never Presidents, yet their names are given to two peaks in the Presidential range; and Mount Pleasant isn't even named after a statesman. I agree with our young friend here, and like better the names of the Sandwich range to the south, Chocorua, Passaconaway, Bald Face. Those are either Indian names, or are suggestive of the appearance of the mountain."

"Right-o," said Peanut.

It was now dark outside, and clear and cold. The Scouts went out into the windy starlight, and looked far down into the valley to the north, where