Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1892-01-30
THE MARITIME ALPS.

II IL not easy to find ones way with
out guido in the Alpes Mariiimos. A
company Of tourists more vonturcsomo
than prudent discovered that not long
ago. They had started from tho charm
ing inn Of La Girandola, perched ON q
rock on the banks Of the Roya. and In.
tended TO climb tho peak Of Gonella. In
order TO get view Of tho high ridgcl.
They missed their way, passed tho point
thoy were seeking. and continued upand
down. almost all tho time through tho
woods. until at last fatigue caused them
TO stop. The ladies Of the party were In
despair and began TO talk Of dying Of
hunger In those fearful solItudcs. when
tho notes Of buslo were heard In tho
distance.
Tho tourists recognized tho French
Clarion. which Is much shriller than tho
Italian cornot. and advancing in the d.
rcction Of the sound. they were soon out
OF the wood and within Wow Of a troop
on the march. battalion Of chaNours
de montague, with gray dolmans and
trousers and loggings As thoy nd
yanced. the tourists distinguished clear.
ly tho column developing It's spirals on
tho side Of n steep spur, mountinr from
the depths Of the valley Of Luceran to-
ward the peak OF La Calmotto. On a
point 10 tho left group halted. forming
the vanguard; the main body Of the
troop climbed slowly. followed by a
long line Of mules.
At that moment tho firing Of cannon
rc-cchood from rock 10 rock aud an
nounced tho beginning Of tho attack.
LATHE by little all tho battalion got foot
ing on the top OF tho spur. doploycd on
this difficult ground. and advanced
toward tho principal peak. The mus.
kerry ratified, backed up by tho thunder.
ing Of the artillery Lines Of agile foot
soldiers rose from the hollows Of tho
rocks, from tho midst Of tho bushes,
fr tho irregularities of the ground.
themselves for moment, then
disappeared, and kept on advancing.
The frightened channels, surprised by
these sounds In their solitudos. bounded
from rock 10 rock. Their wild flight
will carry news to tho inhabitants Of tho
Italian slope, who have a provcrb say.
ing. "whon tho chanois come down in
flight tho French are mounting on the
heights"
Tho attack continues. Tho noise 70
doubles. Tho chassours arc running NJ
the steep slopes. Al last they reach the
summit. What lungsl what legs they
havel
Now the hoops halt, assemble To-
gethor, make coffee and take rest
Tho tired tourists join thom. The oil
Ger In command. having been informed
OF thor misadyenturo, promises TO holl
them.
81 cannot have you taken back TO the
plain today" no says TO them. "iot
will have to stay with US until tomor
row, and follow Us to our camp tonight.
"Oh," said one Of tho ladies, that Il
impossible. We cannot walk another
step
do not be alarmed. ladies" repliot
tho officer. "Our painter mules vii
carry you. We viii put you up com
fortably In tho bivouac. and tomorrow
we will go down TO La Bolleno, whcr
you will lind carriages for Nice"
The proposition was promptly accept
ed. The buglc sounded the signal 70
departure, and the ladies wero placed OF
the backs OF the ambulance mules, NC
companiod by the men OF thoir party
aud intrusted 10 tho care Of the docto
of the battalion. For u time the roa
was fairly good. An hours marc
brought them TO tho woodcuttors' CAM
group OF huts inhabited by tho me
who work for tho forest. Here IN
mules straps were frightened. their shoe
d. examined aud their burdens CAREFUL
put In order, for the las, part OF the goa
Is the hardest. Tho woodcuttors' cam
is the last point where there is any WI
ter, aud so. before starting. all the an
mails are given drink, and all the not
gourds and other roceptaclcs are filled.
The ziggag and very prccipitous patti
mounting up steep incline formed {
loose fragments Of rock, 10 hamporod b
roots and branches OF trees. Their ste
shows that they are accustomed TO III
mountain, its steep paths and its rarolie
air. Their lungs, like their muscles, NJ
strengthened by these repeated exercise
In the woods, on the heights and acrol
the glaciers all through the iino montl
Of the year.
Farther on the ground gets bare; II
path runs over tho rock itself; the Iii
rags arc 30 short that they have scarcel
the length Of mule. The animals u,
vance but very slowly, and by tho tin
the ambulance reaches the plateau Il
soldiers have already been there son
time. and the byounc has been rapid
formed.
The officer In command comes 70
ward TO meet the tourists. and TO the
great surprise proposes TO conduct the
TO their hotel. They follow him, II
mules stop at tho extremity Of the pl
toau. where the woods begin. Undl
the trees biyouac has been Unstable
for tho tourists. A gourbi Of pin
branches will protect them from Il
GOODNESS Of the night. Tho entrance
decorated with bouquets Of mountai
flowers.
"horo is your home for one day, me
danes" says the officer. "No will soI
you tho mule littors, and with some fel
aud rug you will have a fairly cor
Portable bed"
ave accept the lodging, but not Il