The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1915-07-15

and the distant rock of Arco and the
engirdling ranges made, for the i'm
mediate foreground was in shadow and
the remoter slopes and crests were
still flooded with the soft light of the
declining sun. / had started with
the intention of turning back from
this point of vantage, but on descry-
ing, beyond two or three adjacent
turns, a tunnel through the jutting
cliff, | allowed myself to be led on
as far as it's mouth.
Thus was my fate sealed. With
each bend there was new lure. Once
having yielded l was henceforth cap
tive to progress-the goal of my jour
ney being the entrance to the Val
di Ledro, where the road makes an
abrupt swerve into precipitous
mountain gorge.
Lake Viewed From Above.
The lake below me was faint purple
in the shadow Of the cliffs, while be-
,yond, where the golden light still
touched the water, it was delicate
shade of turquoise. Rowboats, drift
ing or in motion, shrunk in size to
toy craft, and their rowers were like
pygmies working automatically. The
white and saffron and lumber sails that
dotted the lakes bosom seemed no
more than SO many taut or Tapping
flags.
Leaning ever the parapetlike wall
that guards the road / observed that
in many places the descent was sheer
in others there were jutting crags
carpeted with coarse grass and droop
ing sprays of a family crimson flower
At length | came to tunnel that was
guarded both at the near and the
further entrance by huge grated iron
gates that we're backswung. Above
upon an outlook reached by zigZal
path was a sentry box.
This was the boundary between
Austria and Italy, and l later learned
that in certain well chosen places the
POnale road is mined and is likely
in the event of hostilities between the
two countries, to be rendered in al
eye twinkling unusabe. A SECOND
series of gates succeeded the first, anC
here there we're barbed wire entangle
ments as we'll as threatening looking
lines Of loophoIes staring at me from
small but massive one-storied struc
ture built into the mountainside.
Famous Old Stronghold.
AS one draws toward Malcesine, on
the eastern shore, the imposing bulk
of its castle looms up boldly. This
fortress marks the rule of that prince
ly family of Verona, the Scaligers, and
it's crenelated tower and grand sweep
of battlements are among the most
striking features upon the lake. AT
their massive base the town washing
was being done, and some enterprising
boatmen were calking fishing schoon-
er in a little bay adjacent. At the
landing fruit women we're clamorous
and Malcesine dog added his ex-
clamatory voice to theirs.
To the south the beetling height of
Monte CASTILLO now became prominent,
not again to be lost sight Ola noun
tain headland rising sheer from the
lakes border, with church nesting
just below its crest. AS we bore to-
ward the Tremosine landing began to
wonder where the town was.
At first glance there was nothing
visible save the wharf and an almost
perpendicular cliff. Then chanced to
follow the line of the precipice to its
top, an elevation of more than 1900
feet, and there, hanging upon the very
verge, was a cluster of houses. AS we
approached l deserted two windlasses
One at the lakes edge and one at the
cliffs crown-connected by seemingly
slender wire cables, These, 1t proved,
were used for hoisting provisions and
building material and for letting down
whatsoever of produce the villagers
and mountain dwellers desire to ex-
port.