Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-01-25

W NJ Nl-t1'faS IPttS,
lourds and other receptacles are filed
The zigzag and very PERCEPTIONS path.
mounting up steep incline formed of
loose fragments of rock, is hampered by
| roots and branches of trees. Their step
shows that they are accustomed to tho
mountain, its steep paths and its rarefied
air. Their lungs, like their muscles, are
strengthened by these repeated exercises
in the woods, on the heights and across
the glaciers all through the fine months
of the year
Farther on the ground gets bare: tho
path runs over the rock itself; the zig
zags are so short that they have scarcely
the length Of mule. The animals adj
vance but very slowly, and by the time
the ambulance reaches the plateau the
soldiers have already been there some
time, and the bvouac has been rapidly
formed.
The officer in command comes for
ward to meet the tourists. and to their
great surprise proposes to conduct them
to their hotel. They follow him. The
mules stop at the extremity of the pla-
teau. where the woods begin. Under
the trees bvouac has been installed
for the tourists. A gourbi of pine
branches will protect them from the
GOODNESS Of the night, The entrance is
decorated with bouquets of mountain
flowers.
Here is your home for one day, mes
danes" says the officer. 1--WE will send
you the mule litters. and with some fern
and a rug you will have fairly com
Portable bed"
We accept the lodging, but not the
beds We will not deprive your sick"
Il have no sick" replies the officer.
There is nobody in the ambulance.
The ambulance is, 50 to speak, useless.
We have been on the march during the
past three months. We have not
marched six long spells without rest,
We shall march again tomorrow and
then perhaps we shall take days rest.
My men are in perfect training. Now
will leave -ou, mesdames. In an hour
will come TO take you TO dinner"
At the appointed time the officer came,
and all the tourists followed him across
the plateau, admiring the splendid pan
Drama spread out before them. From
the sunamit Of the Aution z $50 meter9
they saw at their feet, like a gigantic
ditch, the valley of the Mirniera joining
the Roya at the east near San Dalnazzo.
and commanded by an Italian fort. the
most advanced of the works that defend
the Col de Tende. Beyond tho depth Of
the Mimiera rose the last chain Of the
Alpes Maritimes. throwing up heaven
ward the ridge Del Diablo e. Gs7 metersy
and the peak L'Ahisso f2,755 metcrs). an
enormous mass, with its snowy covering
tinted rose by the setting sun--a grand
and striking spectacle. especially when
seen from the midst Of a bivoaac, itself
always so curious and 80 attractive.
The sentinels watch as they pace 10
and fro. The mules browse the scant
but tasty grass of the high plateaus.
Seated on Old tree trunks the officers
finish their itineraries, complete their
notes, draw up reports on the country
they have traversed. make sketches of
the distant mountain silhouettes- The
soldiers sing AS they clean their arms,
shout, run and amuse themselves with
games. To see their movements and
their activity you would never think
that they had marched twenty five
miles and accomplished Inaneuver
amid all the obstacles Of mountainous
ground The Italians have reason to be
proud Of their Alpine companies. Our
chasseurs de montague are not one whit
inferior to them in tenacity and endur-
snce.
Night closes in. Dinner Is served on
table formed OF waited branches COW
cred with tiowery turf. Old pine trunks,
cut down in time Of former wars, serve
as seats, a big tire and torches formed