X. 



384 



SHOET STALKS 



run the gauntlet of a double row of smartly -dressed, 

 supercilious haigneuses, was a more terrific experience to 

 modest men, than any we had encountered.^ 



After the expedition above descril^ed, we were again 

 imprisoned at Chamouni for ten days by stress of weather, 

 bargaining for artificial agates, eating heavy dinners, racing 

 to the Montanvert ao'ainst time ; and feedino* our imaoina- 

 tions on all sorts of ambitious schemes aojainst neio-hbourino; 



O o O 



MAC. 



passes and peaks, the broad bases of which were all that 

 we were permitted to see. At length, we became almost 

 callous to misfortune. AVe gave up even our daily con- 

 stitutional in the rain, and sought refuge from our despair 

 in o-amblino; and tobacco. 



During part of this time, we were enlivened by a strike 

 of our guides — a strike, not for a rise of wages, but against 

 the employment of non-union men. We had one day 

 found young Taugwald from Zermatt, outside the hotel, 

 and looking out for a return job. As he was a strong- 

 lad, we engaged him as our porter. He was one of the 



^ This was tlie scene of tlie tragecly of last Jul}', when nearly tlie \\hole 

 series of buildings was swept away in five minutes by a ilood which came 

 down the gorge almost without warning. 



