Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1880-12-03
4 MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE.


left Geneva by boat, and preceded TO
Villenuve, situated at the other eN-
tremity of the lake, where we took
carriages to Martigny
Arrived here, we Staid all night, and
early the next morning. mounted our
mules, and having procured guides,
started 10 Chamouni About noon we
arrived at the celebrated pass of Tete
Noire, where We ate dinner, and once
more started for our destination.
The pass Of the Tcte Noire is one Of
the most remarkable i'll the world.
High, PERCEPTIONS mountains, covered
with frs arise on either hand, reveal
ing deep dark chasm, into whose
depths it is impossible for a traveller
to gaze without turning dizzy. At its
bottom wends along, over rocks and
boulderS, little stream of water,
caused 10y the drippings from the
sides of the mountain, and in the wet
season, when swollen by rains, it as
sumes the proportions of gigantic
torrent as it dances along i'll gliding
swiftness and is lost in the valley be-
low.
The road at this point is but Il mere
bridlc-path, over which it impossible
for wheeled vehicles to pass, and is
hewn in the solid rock on the noun
tain side. At one point projecting
rock made it impossible to wind the
road around it, so it was cut through,
and for u short distance the traveller
finds himself in Il narrow tunnel, the
sides of which he can touch rs he rides
along on his sure footed mule.
The sun never shines i'll the ravine,
nor dries with its warm rays the rank
wet sides of the dehle. From the Tete
Noire it was gradual descent until NE
reached the valley ut the head of which
stands Mont Blanc, and where stands
the pretty little village of Chamouni.
In passing along | noticed glaciers
Caquilles they are called) in several
places, with verdurc apparently grow
ing at their bases, and from the tops of
which the sunlight was reflected i'll a
thousand different hues.
Leaving the Mcr dc Glacc on our left,
and the Flagre on our right after some
trouble in picking our way across the
path Of huge avalanche which had u
few days before come rolling down the
mountains side, we arrived shortly af-
ter sunset at the village, and establish
ed ourselves for some time in comfort
able quarters at the very good hotel
which the town afforded 1t was from
these headquarters we were wont TO
sally on our expeditions to the many
objects of interest i'll the vicinity, some
times returning the same day, but fire.
qucntly making our trip ofseveral days
duration.
One morning, shortly after our arri-
val, Madame b., one of our party and
myself, started alone to visit Mer dc
Glace, some fifteen miles distant. Pass
ing several parties of eNcursionists, we
had accomplished nearly half the dis
lance when we stopped 1.-THE door Of a
pretty little vine-cad cottage for drink
Of the cool water which was guigling
along in little stream near by.
A stout, hardy-looking man of about
fifty was engaged in planting flowers in
neat little garden, and in answer to
our request fora drink of the sparkling
water, entered the cottage, and return
ed bearing Il pitcher Of it, with which
we allayed our thirst.
While thus engaged, noticed that
he kept cycling my companion closely,
and as we were about moving off, he
said:
"Are you not Madame b., VINO TWEEN
ty years ago visited this Chamouni,
and had for your guide Pierre Blan-
cot?'
Eyes," replied my companion. !
am she, and in you recognize my old
faithful Pierre, the preserver OF my
life. 7"
"Ah. madame" said he, Selling her
hand and holding it between his rough
palms. while tears flowed down his
checks, Il have longed for years that
the time might come, when | should
be able to thank my benefactress for
the blessings she has heaped upon me.
Come here, Marie, cried he to a mat
ronly-looking woman who stood IN the
door of the cottage, "come here and
kiss our benefactress hand, She is the
good angel who has been the cause of
all our comforts and for whose safety
we have prayed for twenty years.
stop. Pierre said madame, en-
barrassed hut not displeased at his ex-
preston Of gratitude; you must reeol-
Iect that it Is /, not you, who am the
obliged party. 10 You owe my life,
FIR YOU preserved il once when III i'm
minent danger, and my husband mere
III bestowed on YOU present for your
faithfulness and devotion in the hour Of
trial. y
But" continued Pierre, with
warmth. "Monsieur's gift enabled me
70 buy this little place, and to leave the
perilous life of guide, and to marry
my dear Marie, whom before that |
could not wed. as / had no home for
her"
We'll, Pierre said Madame B. If
you will continue to remain in error,
| cannot help it, and rejoice that the
generosity Of my husband enables you
70 enjoy 50 much pleasure from which
the perilous and uncertain life OF i
mountain guide would debar you; and
low that il i grownglate, and We rave