Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1893-12-09

past three months. We have not
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 you. mesdames. In an hour
will come 10 take you 10 dinner"
AT the appointed time the officer came.
and all the tourists followed him across
the plateau. admiring the splendid PAN
Drama spread ont before them. From I
the summit OF the Aution t2.O60 meters)
they saw AT their feet. like a gigantic 1
ditch. the valley Of the Mimiera joining
the Roya Mt the east near san Dalmaxzo. |
and commanded by AN Italian fort. the
most advanced Of the works that defend
the Col de Tende. Beyond the depth OF
the Mimiera rose the last chain OF the
Alpcs Maritimes. throwing up heaven
ward the ridge Del Diablo q. .6s7 meters)
and the peak L'Abisso (2.7s5 meters). 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 biyouac, itself
always so curious and 81 attractive.
The ssntinels watch IA they pace TO
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 mp reports on the country
they have trayersed. make sketches OF
the distant mountain silhouettes. The
soldiers sing M they clean their arms,
shout. run and amuse themselves with
games To see their movements and
their activity yon would never think
that they had marched twenty-five
miles and accomplished n maneuver
amid ali the obstacles Of mountainous
ground The Italians have reason TO be
proud of their Alpine companies. Our
chasaeurs dc montague are not one whit
inferior to them In tenacity and endur-
snce.
Night closes In. Dinner IN served on
n table formed Of wattled brauches GOV.
cred with howery turf. Old pine trunks.
cut down in time OF former wars. serve
as seats A big fire and torches formed
OF pine branches light the guests at this
original and rustic feast At such an
altitude frugaiity is obligatory. never
theless the fare is quite respectable. The
chief dishes are red partridges and civet
de chamois pune mushrooms, nm ice
made with ewes milk and snow, while
Strawberries arbutus berries and wild
forest fruits served In nests Of moss,
formed the dessert The tourists are do
lighted and thank the officers by drink
ing their health. aud soon all retire tf
rest
At daybreak this battalion resumes it'
march along the ridge. alteruatel,
through woods and across meager pas
turages The solitude is absolute excep
for some pastorello guarding his goats
! which seem literally TO cling to the noun
; tain side. The Wow Is marvellous whel
! the distasre appears through rent u
} the opaline morning mist.
The road gets worse and becomes ah
: solutely execrabis at the point wher
? the grand descent begins. and where tn
D track is scarcely marked out OF tn
Y sinuosities Of the rocks. At one poin
great blocks overhang: at another shar
; projections have to be turned; almos
: all the way the road follows the edge
: a precipice.
4 One cannot imagine how the mule
p will pass with their burdens. or ho'
they can even get footing In this dangel
Q GUS pass The battalion passes withor
U winking. as If II were the simplei
: thing in the world. and the mountai
= battery follows IN it's turn. But not II
q tourists. they find the danger too imm
v nent and disinount, preferring to tru
to their feet. Meanwhile they wait ii
q the path is free, sitting on a grani
II promontory, and watching the whole ba
4 terry defile along this track, which seen
W impracticable even for the goats ther
70 selves. II Is \ work OF strength and p
thence and requires as much skill as
u does coolness.
or The soldiers hold up the mules al
IN even their burdens by means OF rop'
@ Thus relieved, the animals glide alol
y, rather than walk. stiffening their fol
or legs and almost touching the grou
sd with their hind quarters. A few ac
ch dents happen, but. thanks to the ma
p. fold precautions and TO the care OF
On drivers. they are rarely serious;
he mules that fall are soon put on tn
'es feet again. Al last this long and perilc
Ily pass In cleared: the battery and
nd ambulance rejoin the battalion, a
mp after q short halt the march is resun
"a and La Bollene IL reached.
nj The tourists rushed into the hotel,
ts, lighted to lind themselves once more
. civilized p;ace. and eo be able to !
tn, for few h MRS. The column, howes
OF continued lis march. Later on
by tourists started for Nice in a carria
lep Toward the end Of the day they o'
The took the indefatigable chasseurs, '
led were still marching along. altho'
are more than twelve hours had passed 81
ses they had begun their days work. .-FI
oss The French Army by General Lev
this In Harper's Magazine.
the Significant Puppies
- 4. a. a.,id that tina Iafa Admiral Pc