midday
On our left rose the wall of Great Flat Top Mountain , a short chain , in reality a continuation of Tug Ridge . On the right rose ridge after ridge of the Alleghanies , punctuated by Peter 's Mountain , where New River burst through the wall in its quest for the Ohio . A wild land , and yet birds , bees and deer were here , and the soil was ripe for happy homes . I managed to keep up until after midday , when my legs suddenly refused to carry me farther . I told Ward to tomahawk me if he wished , but that I must rest before moving another step . There was no question as to his inclination , for his brown hand fondled his ax most longingly . He dismounted and boosted me on to his horse .