12 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



Chamouni that night with heads erect, and an impos- 

 ing step. People pointed at us, and came from the 

 hotels to see what we were like. For that evening, 

 at least, we were evidently great persons. 



The sun went down magnificently, and everything 

 promised a glorious day on the morrow. I collected 

 all my requisites. Our host lent me a pair of high 

 gaiters, and Madame Tairraz gave me a fine pair of 

 scarlet garters to tie them up with. I also bought a 

 green veil, and Jean brought me a pair of blue 

 spectacles. In my knapsack I put other shoes, socks, 

 and trousers, and an extra shirt ; and I got a new 

 spike driven into my baton, for the glacier. I was 

 still far from well, but the excitement pulled me 

 through all discomfort I did not sleep at all that 

 night, from anxiety as to the success of the under- 

 taking : I knew all the danger ; and when I made a 

 little parcel of my money, and the few things I had 

 in my " kit," and told the friend who had come with 

 me from London to take them home if I did not 

 return, I am afraid my attempt to be careless about 

 the matter was a failure. I had set a small infernal 

 machine, that made a hideous noise at appointed 

 hours, to go off at six ; and I believe I heard every 

 click it gave all through the night ; and I forestalled 

 its office in the morning by getting out of bed myself 

 at sunrise and stopping it. We met at seven o'clock 

 on the morning of Tuesday, the 12th, to breakfast. 

 All our guides and porters had a feast in the garden, 



