Page:1880. A Tramp Abroad.djvu/439

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AN ALPINE EXPEDITION.
419

"Your Harris will never desert you. "We will die together!"

I cheered the noble fellow with praises, and soon his fears were forgotten and he was eager for the adventure. He wanted to summon the guides at once and leave at 2 in the morning, as he supposed the custom was; but I explained that nobody was looking, at that hour; and that the start in the dark was not usually made from the village but from the first night's resting place on the mountain side. I said we would leave the village at 3 or 4 p. m. on the morrow; meantime he could notify the guides, and also let the public know of the attempt which we proposed to make.

I went to bed, but not to sleep. No man can sleep when he is about to undertake one of these Alpine exploits. I tossed feverishly all night long, and was glad enough when I heard the clock strike half past eleven and knew it was time to get up for dinner. I rose jaded and rusty, and went to the noon meal, where I found myself the centre of interest and curiosity; for the news was already abroad. It is not easy to eat calmly when you are a lion, but it is very pleasant, nevertheless.

As usual, at Zermatt, when a great ascent is about to be undertaken, everybody, native and foreign, laid aside his own projects and took up a good position to observe the start. The expedition consisted of 198 persons, including the mules; or 205, including the cows. As follows:

Chiefs of Service. Subordinates.
Myself. 1 Veterinary Surgeon.
Mr. Harris. 1 Butler.
17 Guides. 12 Waiters.
4 Surgeons. 1 Footman.
1 Geologist. 1 Barber.
1 Botanist. 1 Head Cook.
3 Chaplains. 9 Assistants.
2 Draftsmen. 4 Pastry Cooks.
15 Barkeepers. 1 Confectionery Artist
1 Latinist.