The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-18

Iam." said Bompard. rising to th'
 occasion, If the weather suit. It il
 an ascent which Is not always pleas | ant at this season."
 "Ah. go away with your not pleas
 ant said the worthy Tartarin, wink,
 ing at Bompard with a meaning which
 the latter did not seem to under
 stand.
 Let us have our coffee in the sa.
 lon," said Bompard. we will consult
 with Father Ballet. He knows all
 about 1t. He Is an old guide who has
 made the ascent twenty-seven times"
 That Bompard is always exaggerat.
 ing. said Tartarin. severely. with a
 The Invasion # the Tarasconians
 frightened up by champagne. gave
 some little entertainment to the Eng. fish tourists in the salon. They had never seen coffee taken with so much mimicry and rolling of the eyes. Long live Pere 'Balteti" cried they. when the old mountaineer entered the room. He looked at the strangers, who shook his hands and elapped him on the back, though they never had seen him before. '''rhese gentlemen wish to ascend Mount Blanc?" asked he. with a slightly ironieal look.
 Tartarin hastened to mention that he had just been up the Jungfrau.
 "A good expedition" said Father Baltet, looking at him with astonish- ment. The English momen raised their heads to look at him, too. Master, tell them about the crevasse" bleated Pas" calon.
 The president of the Alpine Club smiled. "Childw said he, indulgently. But he began his recital. and soon warmed up. The ladies shivered, de- vouring him with their cold English eyes. those eyes which open so wfde-- ly and so round.
 Tn the silence that followed the voice of Bompard rose loudly: Up to Chimborazo we do not tic ourselves 70 cross the crevasses"
 The other Tarasconians looked at him with ingenious admiration.
 Father Baltet, taking ChimboraSo uuite serousIy, protested against the non employment of the rope. No as- cent. said he. was possible without good manila rope. 'Cden, if one slips' the others can hold him up," said\ he
 That is, if the rope does not break, said Tartarin. recalling a famous ac- cIdent on the Matterhorn.
 The old man replied deliberately: 'orhe rope did not break on the Mat terhorn. The rear guide cut 1t with his ax:
 As Tartarin exclaimed against this. he continued: You must excuse me monsieur, the guide did right. He per reived the impossibilty or hololhs tne others, and he cut the rope to save he lives of himself. his son ana the traveller who had accompanied tnem' Had if not been for his action there would have been seven victims instead of four. 4.o.h nd to the line, 1t was matter or honorable engagement to live or ole forether. Then, influenced by the presence of the ladies, he rose 10 the occasion. .,.
 "When tomorrow. I attach myself ,o Bompard 1t will not be only a pre- caution that I will take but an oath ,efore heaven and my fellow men only .o live with my companion. and to die rather than return without him"
 q accept the pledge for myself as well as for you. Tartarin!" exclaimed 3ompard.
 It was an affecting moment.
 The English people were hlled with admiration. A parson who was among hem stepped forward and shook Tar arin's hand. The rest followed. Tar arln. thrilled with emotion. broadened md his eyes glistened with tears.
 A Swedish tourist joined them next lay. When they were ready to start 3ompard approached Tartarln ana ried to speak with him: but the president of the Alpine Club was too ,usy in directing the expedition and ooking after the guides and porters. 10 he was forced to follow on till they l cached the glacier Des Blossoms, where the real ascent begins.
 The Sweds turned out to be an Sx- ,ert climber, and Tartarin followed | i'm. smiling at the recollection of his | rst ascent, and comparing himself | LOW with the neophyte that he was | hen. Behind them came the unhappy | ,ompard, undergoing many adventures. |
 Firmly convinced until that moment l hat Tartarln would not undertake the | scent. Bompard was in his ordinary | ostume without nails in his boots nd without an alpenstock. The of Chimborazo. he had | in the morning, did not re- uire them!
 At the first step he fell on his back nd the second time to his hands and nees NO, mo-" said he to the guide rho offered to assist him. mo mol" nd. strong in his Tarasconian habit, yen in that painful moment. he add q: Tt is done on purpose. The