The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1880-11-25
A MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE.

&
tiful country of Switzerland. We left
Geneva by boat, and proceeded 10 Vile
neuve, situated at the other extremity Of
| the lake, where we took carriage. to Mar
| tigny,
Arrived here, we staid all night, and
early the next morning mounted our
mules, and, having procured guides,
started to Chsmouni. About noon we
arrived at the celebrated pas. Of Teie
Noire, where We ate our dinner, and once
more rted for our destination.
The pass of the Tete Noire i. one of
the most remarkable in the world. High,
precipitou, mountains, covered with frs,
srise on either hand, revealing deep,
dark chasm, into Those depths it is i'm
possible for traveller to gaze without
turning dizzy. At it's bottom wends
along, over rocks and boulders, a little
stream of vster, caused by the drippings
from the sides OF the mountain, and in
| the wet season, when swollen ny rains,
it assumes the proportions OF gigantic
torrent, AS it dances along in gliding
swiftness and is lost in the valley below.
The road st this point is but mere
bride path, over which it Ia impossible
for wheeled vehicles to pass, and is hewn
in the solid rock on the mountain side
AT one point q projecting rock made it
| impossible to wind the road around it, so
it was cut through, and for short dis
taDce the travelex finds himself in uar-
row tunnel, the sides Of which he can
touch as he rides along on bis sure footed
mule,
The sun never shines in the ravine, nor
| dries with its warm rays the rank wet
sides of the defile. From the Tete Noire
it was gradual descent until we reached
the valley at tue head of which stands
Mont Blanc, aud where stands the pretty
little village OF Chamouni.
In passing along [ noticed glaciers
(squilles they are cailed) u several places,
with yerdure apparently growing TT their
bases, aud from the tops Of whieh the
sunlight was reflected in thousand diff
fereut hues.
Leaving the Mer de Gisce on our left,
and the Flagre on our right, after some
trouble III picking our way across the
path Of huge avalanche which had few
days before come rolling down the noun
tain's side, we arrived shortly after sun
set vt the viIlsSe, and established our
selves for some time in comfortable guar
ters at the very good hotal which the
town Afforded II wss from thesc head
quarters we were wont to sally on our
expeditions to the many objects vi inter
est IN the vicinity, sometimes returning
the same day, but frequently making our
trip of several days duration.
One morning, shortly after our arrival
Madame b., one of our party, and my.
self started aloue to visit Mer De Glace,
some fifteen miles distant. Passing sew
eral parties OF ezcursionists, we had &C
complisbed nearly half the distance when
We stopped st the door of pretty little
vine clad cottage for drink of the cool
water which wss gurgling along in little
stream near by.
A stout, hardy-looking man of about
SO wes engaged in planting flowers in a
neat little garden, and III answer to our
rayuaot for n Jri,,l- ~ tba e-,arEliDrr xuatar
entered the cottage, and returned bearing
a pitcher of it, with which We allayed our
thirst
While thus engaged, l noticed that he
kept eyeing my companion closely, and
as We were about moving off, he said:
care you not Madame B., who twenty
years ago visited this Chamouni, and had
| for your guide Pierre Blsncoti"
"Yes, replied my companion. 81 am
she, and III you ] recognize my old faith
ful Pierre, the preserver of my hfe."
"Ah, madame, said he, seizing her
hand and holding it between his rough
palms, while tears flowed down his
checks. 81 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, Msrie, cried he 10 matron-
Unlocking woman who stood il the door
| OF the cottage, ''oome 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, embar-
| rassed, but not displensed at his express
| sion of gratitude; lyon must reooile,t
that it is l, not you, vino am the obliged
party. To you l owe my life, for you
preserved it once when in imminent dan
ger, and my husband merely bestowed
on you present for your faithfuiness
and devotion in the hour OF trial. 4"
"But," continued Pierre, with warmth,
''Monsieur's gift enabled me to buy this
little place. and to leave the perilous life
of q guide. and TO marry my dear Marie,
whom before that I could not wed, as I
had no home for her."
"Well, Pierre said Madame B. ''1f
you will continue to remain IN error, l
cannot help it, aud rejoice that the gen
erosity of my husband enables you to
enjoy so much pleasure from which the
perilous and uncertain life of mountain
guide would debar you; and now that IT
is growing lste. and We have long ride
before US, viii say goodbye; but rest
assured L will see you again before leave
the village"
Amid the blessing of Pierre and his
wife, we rode off. For some distance We
pursued our way in silence. AT length
Madame B. said.