Where There's a Will There's a Way; An Ascent of Mont Blanc, by C. Hudson and E.S. Kennedy (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1856 Excerpt: ...for congratulation on our good fortune, fell fast asleep. Many silent hours passed swiftly by before a stir was made in our band of five. The sun had already risen some time when the call was given at half past five to rise and pursue our way to Chamounix. The luxuries of a warm bath and clean linen, to say nothing of a substantial breakfast, were too alluring a vision to allow of any relapse into a second slumber. We made a hasty toilet, which consisted simply in putting on our half-dry boots, and washing our faces and hands in a neighbouring stream, and then, without any difficulty, we regained the path a few yards below the chalet and descended in safety to Chamounix. So ended our adventure. No congratulatory crowds of guides and friends came out to meet us and to welcome us to Chamounix. No triumphal procession was granted to celebrate our victory over the proud monarch. The cannons in the yard of the Hotel de Londres, which peal forth their loud salutes to greet the return of successful adventurers, were silent. Nor did the table overflow with the veritable champagne de Mont Blanc, which, in accordance with time-honoured custom, is usually.provided by the generous hospitality of the landlord. Unnoticed as any other travellers might be, we crossed the wooden bridge. Crowds there were assembled in the narrow street engaged in busy converse, but of this we were not the theme. A report, indeed, was getting rife that certain Englishmen had started two days before from St. Gervais, and had fixed upon the summit of Mont Blanc as the goal of their ambition. Besides this, too, a waiter, with a soul above his station, had, on the previous day, when looking through the telescope of the hotel, seen five black spots, having the appearance of humanity, moving over t...