ASCENT OF MOXT BLANC. 93 



the fall of avalanches rumbling like the sound of thun- 

 der. The glaciers cracked, and at each crack (craque- 

 ment) I felt the mountain move. I was neither hungry 

 nor thirsty, and I experienced a singular pain in the head, 

 which began at the top of the cranium and descended to 

 the eye-brows. The fog was still floating around me. My 

 breath froze upon the handkerchief which I had tied about 

 my face. The snow wet my clothes; it seemed to me that 

 I was naked. I redoubled the rapidity of my movements 

 and set myself to singing, to chase away the horrid thoughts 

 which came into my mind. My voice lost itself in the 

 snow; no echo made response to me." 



Thus he passed the uneasy night. Day dawned at two 

 o'clock. Sunrise brought premonitions of storm. Bal- 

 mat must not attempt Mont Blanc. He spent the day in 

 exploring the glacier, and slept the next night upon the 

 solid land. On the third day he descended to the first vil- 

 lage, and met some fellow cantoniers, who persuaded him 

 to join in an expedition in search of a path to the summit. 

 He was entirely reticent about his own undertakings. He 

 went home and put on a change of clothing, replenished 

 his sack, and at eleven o'clock at night joined his compan- 

 ions on a journey to the unapproachable dome. They 

 reached the Dome du Goiiter. It was the fourth day of 

 Balmat's efforts. He started in advance to cross the crest 

 which connects with Mont Blanc. It was so narrow that 

 he mounted it astride. Success seemed about to crown 

 his gigantic endeavors, but alas! the crest itself was cut 

 by crevasses, and he was obliged to retreat. 



His companions had abandoned him in despair. He 

 took his sack and descended to the Grand Plateau. He 

 was piqued at the treatment of his comrades. He re- 



