ASCEKT OF MOKT BLAi^C. 95 



It was the fifth day with Balmat on the mountains. 

 He had noticed the steep ascent to the summit of the 

 Rochers Rouges. He ascended it ; he looked toward the 

 dome of Mont Blanc, and had discovered the long-sought 

 ivay of approach. He returned to Chamonix and slept 

 forty-eight hours. 



It was two weeks, however, before the weather favored 

 the final undertaking. He had confided his secret to Dr. 

 Paccard, who liad consented to accompany him in the next 

 ascent. They left Chamonix by stealth. None but three 

 women knew of their plans. They were to watch for 

 the adventurers on the dome at a certain hour on the 

 following day. They slept the first night on the borders 

 of the Glacier des Bossons. The next dav Dr. Paccard 

 was overcome bv the fatigue and somnolence which ac- 

 company mountain climbing. He reached the Corridor, 

 and a gust of wind blew his hat over the crest toward 

 Piedmont. At the foot of the Calotte, or cap of Mont 

 Blanc, he refused to advance. Balmat pushed forward 

 alone, iron-hearted, iron-framed. The pelting snow 

 caused him to keep his head bowed down for protection 

 of his face. He noticed a change in the nature of the 

 surface. " I raised my head," he says, " and perceived 

 that I had conquered at last the summit of Mont Blanc. 

 Then I turned my eyes around me, trembling lest I were 

 deceived and should discover some new pinnacle, for I 

 felt that I had not the strength to climb it. The joints 

 of my limbs seemed to hold together only by the aid of 

 my pantaloons. But no ; I was at the end of so many 

 explorative and fruitless marches. I had arrived where 

 no person had yet been, not even the eagle or the 

 chamois alone, without other reliance than that of my 



