The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-11-22
al have seen that.

while NV eyes were riyited upon
point far up the dazzling heights
where reposed what might be thought
a garden or statuary. ali the forms of
the status clearly deiined-uprght,
bending over, recumbent--l began to
think TO myself what disagrecable
effect this long gazing, even by moon.
light, has upon the organs OF sight
"But why?a
Because l got the impression that
the petritied groups were moving,
looked away. rubbed my eyes and
looked back again. The deluslon still
existed. 1t seemed so real that |
touched De Wares arm.
"Do you notice anything unusual
there beyond the cone-toward the
Chamounix? ~
He gazed steadily for Il time and
then spoke TO the guide. Coutet
sprang TO his feet with yell.
An avalanche an avalance"--
shouted the gnide in stentorian tones.
I'VE started just as Contet had
done; all taking position t" watch
the descent First, the movement
was so gradual rs hardly to be no
ticed; but, gathering power with its
progress, ii soon increased it's speed
until dull roar was distinguisable.
"What is It's coursey' anxiously in
quired our host of De Ware.
Toward us, direct" answered the
imperturable traveller.
I'VE were filed with CONSERVATION.
AS the roar increased, the villagers
rushed from their beds in terror, ut
tering shrieks and cries. The ava
Iauche the avalanche q
I'VE stood rooted to the spot
The thunder increased and neared us.
Vast acres OF solid -mouniain-side Were
slipping with fearful rapidity toward
the direction we were in. There was
of course no real danger"
The pinnacle yondcr," said the i'm
movable De Ware, will save us. The
avalanche strikes il, shaves the irreg-
ularities from its side, shoots it many
angles to the right, saving our hamlet
at the expense ot some other,
ale was right. From that or some
other cause, the dcathdcaling mass OF
ice rushed away into the valley be-
yond.
a dangerous season To make an
ascent" said everyone, when we got
home. But we resolved TO Try il.
Early OF the morning OF the l1th a
party of six, accompanied by the
a:orcnamcd guides, started upon the
perilous undertaking. Alter proceed
ing a short distance we were made to
halt by our guides, tor the purpose OF
being tied together, with sufficient
spcce between us 10 allow oil uuintcr-
rnp,ed movements: then IN turn we
were fastened TO the guides them
selves. 1t is doubtful if one in score
would safely return unless this pre-
caution was taken, for there is a con
tinual tripping oi heels; first one, then
another, slipping and falling upon the
glaciers. You don't, LARGO; you've
not made the ascent"
"And don't want TO make il" /
growled, like surly fox.
Rawdon smiled, and turned the fire
about. Then resumed.
.'If we had got the idea there was
either case or comfort i'll the enter.
prise, it was speedily dispelled by act
ual experience. Shelves OF rock met
us everywhere, along which We had TO
crawl on our hands and knees; preci-
pices lowered above, up which our
weary way was made by footholds
cut with the hatchets of our guides
Terrifying chasms yawned on either
side Mysterious assures, whose bot
tom and depth were lost in distance,
had TO be Ieaped over with the AS
sistance OF guide and staff. AS We
ascend, the air became more rare, and
the nose smarted with every inhala-
ton. We made tortuous way,
winding about to escape chasms and
eyade towers Of ice, or tremblingly
crossing abysses on frail bridges OF
snow that might crumble at any step.
"Hope you liked 1T"
ave had toilsome day, and did
not succeed in making very great
distance, for my wrist troubled me
after few hours exertions with ii,
and began TO swell. However, we
pitched upon a place to spend the
night, it being partially sheltered
from the cutting wind; and while
Coutet prepared the supper, | climbed
upon a pinnacle TO take in the mag
nificent view stretched abroad before
my eyes. 1t cannot be described ex-
cept in faint outlines. Far below
these icy fields reposed the verdant
wales teeming with beauty and life -
and placid Leman, like sea of glass
sparkled in the setting sunlight, while
distant hills were well defined against
the clear sky. Thus night came on
But the stolen stiffness that fell upon
us, broken at intervals by the indie.
scribable crash of the crunching pieces
of snow descending on every side, is
beyond description. Still we got to
sleep"
"Glad you could sleep, Rawdon =
GIN the morning we awoke refresh.
ed, and resumed the ascent, although
found great inconvenience from my
sore and stiff wrist, and was obliged
to carry my staff in the other hand
N Not to knger on details, we, at last
after much suffering and danger
reached the goal which we sought
But would say that if one under
takes similar entirprese with the
fond delusion that through it all he
can maintain dignified manner, he
will find the fond dclusion vanished
"Bien entendu."
"Many a chasm the traveller must