The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1894-02-03
/ STRANGE GUIDE.

lerS OF MS CONDITION that Cne uTSC utlI
he way was seeking within myself
plausible pretext for turning back,
nd the second half was blaming myself
(.r having thought i'll of him.
The manner in which he presented him
elf to me, his behavior, his look, his dress,
is step, his accent, and even his herculean
rength, everything in him was a reason
Aor grave suspicion.
Twas at an inn in Val Tournanche, and
I wished to go to Fiery, where several
friends were to meet me; having rather
\ heavy valise l needed a mule to carry it,
and also guide to show the way.
But not a single mule was to be had, and
the only guide could find, Swiss, did
not wish to carry any burden; so was in
danger of missing my appointment.
The day before was to depart, as was
standing about dusk &c the door of the inn
looking anxiously to see whether any
guides or porters had returned from the
mountains, the landlord came to tell me
that he had found my man.
"Have yon sent for him?"
"He is here"
"When did he Gomez"
Just now"
Does he come from the valley'"
No, sir; from the mountain"
impossible. l should have seen him
hing. I have been watching for an
ar"
This man does not follow the same path
the others.''
''Why?"
But my host would not explain himself
.rther; he only called with loud VOICE
\ Jacques!'
He was fine man, very tall, muscular,
'out thirty years old, covered with sweat,
wrinkles of his face giving an express
n of hard and energetic will.
He had a large, straight nose, large
outh, forest of black curly hair, q
ard two days old.
I wanted him to come in, in order to get
way from the chilly breeze; but he
rugged his shoulders and said to me
ickly:
f'Do you wish to 60 to Fiery. and go up
list Mount Cervino?" -.A.-.
II have given up Mount Cervino, unless
his evening l find a muleteer who will
Harry my valise."
II will carry it,
"Th&n should need guide for Mount
ervinoN''
II will come"
would you be willing to carry my va
Use up the k2"
How much. does it weigh?''
'Aboyt fifty pounds"
"All right; give me fifteen francs"
The price was MORE than moderate, but
The fellow seemed tp me swaggerer.
Ioffered to show him the valise; but he
ned at the idea did not like him.
-ou regular guide?"
y D. license,''
g. was in the artillery"
Ut is your name?"
} you want to know all this for fifteen
ics?" and he began to laugh sarcasti-
aly. .'Very we'll, will tell you my
lame gratis. My name is Giacomo Balmes.
Does that please your"
sseeing that his smile did not please me
,e Immediately changed his expression
md added emphatically:
Fifteen francs would help me, you
know; tomorrow night you will be able to
ell me if have earned them;" and after
sarching glance, "The landlord tells me
lat you have known him quite awhile.
SIX him about me. Ny respects"
And so saying he went into the kitchen.
I Next day we set out at O'Clock in
he morning., My valise stuffed full
eemed to him a mere straw. He carried
{ bound on his back with cords, like q
papsack. He walked nimbly, whistling
tquickstep. His gait had something
,uliaf about it. l did not know what it
but later on understood. His step
mo sound, he seemed to glide along.
div had we started when he began to
b me, but either from sleepiness or
the feeling of uneasiness which his
,t>y gave me did not answer him.
led two or three subjects, then gave
I began to whistle, Fastening his
\ke1 instead of going by the regular way
neRun presently to follow around the
nns lower slope until he found
wing rock, rough
cred it without
az the ascent was
49, znd quicker.
W hen we help ourselves with hands and
knees, and every step must be studied and
measured, the mind does not notice the
atigue.
j At first in the steepest places Jacques
turned around and offered me his hand,
but being fresh refused his aid, proud to
encounter the rough mountain. Then the
fellow began to.walk by himself, abandon
ng ne to my fate. There was no real dan
-er, bat felt somewhatindignant at see
n him so high on the rocks. Sometimes,
tent on my steps, forgot him, and when
-aised my head, annoyed at being alone,
guide was out of sight. Where had he
ne! His appearance, the choice of that
I.ausual road, his gait, his mysterious dis
appearance, made me suspicious.
l was sure that my host would not have
trusted me to bad character, but this
dea was not enough to calm me.
/ continued to ascend, and when raised
NQY head again there he was. but at long