The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-06-18

following day.
- The duty was i'm
perative as part of a general plan to break
eastward through the long line of mount
ain barriers dividing Switzerland north
and south from Zurich to the Italian Dor
der, and push the Austrian forces out of
the Grison cantons and the Tyrol. The
grand movement was necessarily made by
isolated bodies of French troops, because
the passes through the lofty mountains
were few and far between. Five thousand
men had been assigned to the task at Grim
sci pass, and the Austrians had like num-
Der established on Grimsel mountain to
defend the pass, which was the highway
between Luzerne and Milan. The excite
ment among the officers was increased by
the report of a accommodating party that
had Just returned from the foot of the
pass, stating that the Austrian position
was impregnable. In the first place the
river Aar had to be crossed at place where
the road runs the distance Of 600 PAGES on
narrow ledge, between the river and a
wall of perpendicular rocks. This point
was guarded by party of native ridemen
in the Austrian service. The river crossing
itself was observed by the main body Of
Austrian troops distributed in q semicircle
ON the slopes of Grimsel mountain, with q
reserve on the crest. the region of perpetual
snow and ice On either side Of the Grim
sci are the inaccessible walls of rocky,
snow covered mountains, rising over 200
feet above the pass.
From the mountain crest of the Grimsel
down the sloping side to the river Aar. the
surface is strewn with blocks of rock form
ing natural defenses; and just above the
bridge, and looking down upon it, is q
no
poured into any force attempting to ap-
proach the bridge, and in fact the path
way leading to the bridge is barely wide
enough for two men to walk abreast.
The French We're at disadvantage in
every way, for not only would they be ex
posed to the Austrian fire during the whole
of their advance, but their own fire, being
from below against adversaries many hun
dred feet above them, would be thrown
away, and after carrying the bridge and
the foot of the pass they would have to
scale an ascent so steep as to require the
use of both hands in climbing. The Aus
TRANS confidently believed that should the
French persist in an attack not man of
them would reach the summit of the Grim
sci alive. So, Also the French patrol had
reported to their commander at the Gut
tanen inn after their reconnaissance.
Inc animated talk or the French officers
over the disheartening story was heard
and partly comprehended by the peasant
landlord of the inn, German named
Fahner. The lavish habits of the French
made them very profitable customers for
the humble inn, and Fahner, partly to
please the humor of his guests and partly
to make a vain display of himself, declared
to some of his boon companions that he
knew a path by which the Austrians on
the Grimsel could be taken in the rear
without risk to the assailants. The re-
mark was repeated to the French COM
mander, and when he asked for particulars
Fahner wanted to recall his words. The
vehement Frenchmen would not give up
the idea, however, so we'll did it fit in with
their desires. After alternate threats and
brides Fahner agreed to act as guide and
lead a light detachment over ice and rock
bound regions, where no feet but those of
the sprightly chamois and their intrepid
hunters had ever trod. No wonder Fahner
wished to back out when the full signifi-
canoe of his rash proposal dawned upon
him, for 1.-THE and muscular mountain
eer, armed with strong alpenstock, is q
vastly different subject for journeying
across slippery glacier and gorge, and over
icy cliff and summit, from a barrack bred