Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1906-02-23
Cured In q Few Weeks.
R. H. the Count of Turin

Savoy-H. R. H. the Count of Turin
plunging into the River Arno at Flor
ence at the head of his hussars, and
the entire regiment swan across, each
trooper with his arm about his train
ed chargers neck. / have also seen
the same high commanding officer
ride his regiment straight into the sea
at Viarreggio; for it is necessary to
accustom both cavalrymen and mounts
to the negotiation of deep water,
against the time they may find them
selves in an enemy's country with all
the bridges destroyed.
A one leaves the Swiss town of Mar
tigny, and begins the long, toilsome
ascent of the Great st. Bernard Noun
tain, one looks forward to reaching
the Italian frontier at Aosta, by way
of the far-famed hospice of St. Ber-
nard, whose dogs and monks are a
household word the world over. At
the side of the lake near the hospice,
a few stones mark the Italian frontier.
AS we descend, the scenery assumes
soft Italian character, and the aw-
full desolation of Mount st. Bernard
gives place to walnut groves, chest
nuts. vines and fig trees. Soon the
southern spurs of Monte Rosa ap-
pear; and just before we enter Aosta.
the pass is alive with soldiers. Some
of them are marching on ski over the
frozen snow; others again are glissad-
ing down steep slopes.
The little town lies about 1000 feet
above sea level, and is surrounded
by ancient walls f1anked with towers.
On every side rise great mountains,
like the 10,000-foot Becca di Mona,
and the Mont Emilius, 1850 feet.
Aosta is an admirable climbing Gen.
ter, not only because the Italian Al
pine troops have their headquarters
here, but also because various Alpine
clubs have built refugees and cut paths
up colossal mountains, which would
otherwise be inaccessible to any liv-
ing creature save the Alpine bear and
the chamois.
Aosta is filled with military bar
racks, and in these as we'll as in the
open squares one sees embryo soldier
mountaineers in the making. Here is
party of recruits, half extended on
the ground, leaning on their left arms.
while their right are high in the air,
rising and lowering big weights. This
exercise is to develop the muscles
OF arm and back for the long, tedious
climb over high, snowy mountains.
and across slippery glaciers Astounding
in treacherOuS crevasses, which may
be covered by an insidious layer of
snow, liable to give way at any mo-
ment after burst of sunshine.
One great idea is to accustOm the e
men to hauling and pulling; for while
Alpine troops are on the march it is
obvious they cannot take any pack
animals with them, much less com.
mlssariat wagons. Each man is neav-
lily burlened with rifle, bayonet, two
Or three hundred rounds Of ball cart
ridge; several days rations, a steel
pointed alpenstock, some silken or
hemp ropes, snowshoes or ski, blank
cts. and other items, which in them
selves make up serious load, to be
carried up great mountains by paths
which to the uninitiated look only fit
for goats.
And yet. on top of all this equip
ment the Italian soldier-mountaineer
is required, on occasion, to take over
parts of machine guns portable tele-
phones. camp utensils and other ar
ticles. Down below in Aosta. pack
mules were loaded up in trains with
the barrels of mountain howitzers:
also with their wheels, separately.
and certain shelter-tents, picks and
shovels, and other implements. These
hardy beasts are led as high as it is
possible to take them, but the troops
themselves venture up wild, icy pre-
cipices Of the Alps where not even
a mule could find foothold. At a Ger.
tain point. therefore. the pack-mules
are unloaded and led down again to
Aosta, after their loads have been dis.