Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-12-25

tpTWlVPHl uilhCultN. ItS'l'S At WY
twenty steps, we managed to reach pile
of rocks, called the Rochar's Rangers, al
about two p. NJ. Here we again came TO
a halt, and then commenced the ascent oi
a wall Of ice, almost perpendicular, which
we accomplished by cutting inches in The
ice, large enough TO admit our feet, with
an axe brought for the purpose. The pro-
gress here vas very slow, the rareiaclion
becoming very oppressive, and the guides
being exhausted with fatigue. My position
on this dangerous place was now truly
perlouS. symptoms OF an approaching
storm were every moment becoming more
evident, and the guides glancing upwards
every few moments, with doubt expressed
in their gaze. AT length a wreath OF dark
clouds settled around the summit, and the
man with the axe turned about, refusing to
proceed any further
Immediately saw that they entertained
a feeling Of alarm; but. spurrpd on by
desire TO succeed, and unaware OF the real
danger to be overcome, opposed TO give
them one hundred and City francs, in addi-
ton to the stipulated sum, it they would
attain the summit. Cnce more, with re-
newed yiIor at this offer, they strove TO
make their way, and we had fairly reached
the trp Of the irowning Mur de la Cote,
and within fifty feet Of the summit. when
a fearful tonmeniu came violently whlrl-
inr down, driving before il clouds Of fine
hail and snow, nearly dislodging and al
most binding us, notwithstanding our wells
and glasses. The guides now positively
refused 20 advance, and finding all rcnon-
strances and aPp,als in vain, We prepared
to descend. II was here first noticed
that the complexion OF my guides faces
were changed -one was nearly black,
while the rest Wore aspects that gradually
disappeared as we descended the mountain.
The burning, maddrning thirst now seemed
! to rage with greater fury. My tongue pro-
trudcd dry and hard from my mouth, and
on descending the prrlous tootmarls Of the
! Muir, | threw mySel! PROSTATE on the ice
IN utter exhaustion. The guides likewise
( followed my example, and tor few mo-
( ments We watched the snow clouds whirl-
/ in- and winding in fantastic shapes around
/ the peaks above Us.
/ Seeking the shelter afforded by The Ro-
I chnrs' Rgnrars. 7 was enabled. after few
moments rest. 10 partially enjoy the mar
nifcent scenes around me-. The campaigne
Of sunny Italy stretched like map on one
side. and there seemed to be more peaks
than on the side of Savoy. L. TACT. Mont
Blanc seemed almos, the northern cytremi-
t. Of tho range Of primitive mountainS.-
The bird,s-pyp view Of their oirantic struc-
,uro and orrani29Iion is most majestic. The
plains Of Loulardv and France opppar as
. if cnyeIopsd in haze, and did not the
mountains shut out the view. the blup Me-
+ ditcrraDcan would be defined in the dis
tancr. The Glaciers and p,aks of the Alps
on the north side. the varied forms aud si-
zrg Of their rrouprs. iDtrrmiXed with rocks
and Green valleys. present Grand specta-
Gle as far rs the vision commands.
But oDr pleasDrr in this respact here en-
leL. The Storm above increased. and the
keen. cold wind. hcarinr on IFS blast the
foe nariiclrs of ice. carp ruzbiDr down
fine royolain. ohliteratinlr our f,otpripis.
and rrpezin, rs with lis violence. Gradu.
aliv we descended and cr3ssinr the Grand
pLtoan in morn.n,arv dread that tbe force
of the wind vouId detach tb, bure masses
Of snow IN all sides and overwhnIm rs, we
once moro reached the Grand AIulets. un-
der the inuine points of which we crouch
ed for f.w moments. in order 10 prepare
for the MASSAGE fthe dreadful glaciers.
At about ni,b,lau, with onIy one soIita-