The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-04-13
0UNTAIN ADVENTURE.


ity OF tho Lake, where we took calrla-
ges to Martigny.
Arrived here, we stayed all night,
and early the next morning mounted
our mules, and, having procured guides,
started TO Chamoun. About noon we
arrived at the celebrated pass OF Tete
Noire, where we alto our dinner, and
once more started for our destination.
The pass of the Tete Noire is one of tho
most remarkable in the world. High,
precipitous mountains, covered with frs,
arise on either hand, revealing deep,
dark chasm, into whose depths 1t is im-
possible for traveller to gaze without
turning dizzy At its bottom wends
along over rocks and boulders, a little
stream of water, caused by the drip
pings from the sides of the mountain,
and in the wet season, when swollen by
rains, it assumes the proportions OF u
gigantic torrent, as it dances along in
gidding swiftness and is lost in the val
ley below.
The road at this point is but mere
bridle-path, over which it is impossible
for wheeled vehicles to pass, and is
hewn in the solid rock on the mountain
side. AT one point projecting rock
made it impossible TO wind the road
around ii, so it was cut through, and for
short distance the traveller finds HIM
self in a narrow tunnel, the sides of
which he can touch as he rides along on
his sure-footed mule.
The sun never shines in the ravine,
l,,,n ,,t;t tha 1,ly
wet sides of the deile. From the Tete
Noire it was a gradual descent until we
reached the valley at the head of which
stands Mont Blanc, and where stands
the pretty little village of Chamouni.
In passing along ! noticed glaciers
(aquilles they are calleD in several
places, with verdure apparently grow
ing at their bases, and from the tops OF
which the sunlight was reflected in a
thousand different hues.
Leaving the Mer de Glaze on our left,
and the Flagere on our right, aftersome
trouble in picking our way across the
path of huge avalanche which had
a few days before come rolling down
the mountains side, we arrived shortly
after sunset at the village, and estab-
lished ourselves for sometime in com
Portable quarters at the very good hotel
which the town afforded. IL was from
these headquarters we were wont TO
sally on our expeditions to the many
objects of interest in the vicinity, some
times returning the same day, but fire.
qnently making our trip of several days
duration
One morning, shortly after our arriv-
al, Madame b., one OF our party, and
myself started alone to visit Mer dc
Glaze, some fifteen miles distant. Pass
ing several parties of eXcursonsts, we
had accomplished nearly half the dis
lance when we stopped at the door OF a
pretty little vine-clad cottage fora drink
of the cool water which was gurgling
along in little stream near by.
A stout, hardy-looking man of about
so was engaged in planting flowers in a
neat little garden, and in answer to our
request for drink of the sparkling
water, entered the cottage, and re-
turned bearing n 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 Oft, he
said:
"Are you not Madame b.. who twenty
years AGO visited this Chamount, and
had for your guide Pierre Blancot"
yes" replied my companion. 81
am She and in you recognize my old
faithful Pierre, the prescrver OF my
life."
"Ah, madame" said he, Selling her
hand and holding it between his rough
palms, while tears flowed down his
cheeks, 81 have longed for years that
this time might come, when should be
able to thank my bencfactress for the
blessings she has heaped upon me.
Come here, Marie" cried he to q
acknowledging 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, but not dispcased at his ex
preston of gratitude; you must recol
; iect that it is !, not you, who am th'
obliged party. To- you owe my life
for YOU preserved it once when in immi
nent danger, and my husband merel,
bestowed on you present for your faith
fitness and devotion in the hour o
trial. -,
But" continued Pierre, will
warmth, "Monsieurs gift enabled me t
buy this little place, and to leave thu
perilous life Of a guide, and to marry
my dear Marie, whom before that
could not wed, as / had no home fol
her"
"Well, Pierre" said Madame B., 81
YOU will continue TO remain in error,
cannot help it, and rejoice that th'
generosity Of my husband enables 20,
10 enjoy so much pleasure from which tn
perilous and uncertain life Of noun
tain guide would debar you; and nov
that II is growing late, and we have
long ride before us, / will say goodbye
tut rest assured Twill see you again be
Il re leave the village"
imid the blessings Of Pierre and hi
win !, we rode off, For some distanc
wa ursued our way in silence, A
lepon Madame b. said
.sYo, must think the scene you hav
inst wi, messed very strange one; tn
gra,i,,,a, OF this simple hearted peasan