ication on its surface, of its
want of solidity; and it often happens that the chamois hunter,
notwithstanding all his caution, suddenly sinks through this
treacherous veil into the chasm beneath.

We remained a couple of hours at our resting place, to take some
refreshment, and to regain strength for our next difficult task.
Jacques Balmat accompanied us this far, to point out the best means of
attaining that spot on which he was the first to set foot; but the
infirmities of age prevented him from accompanying us farther. Our
feet seemed to linger, and to leave with reluctance the last ground
they were to touch until the period of our return.

We however entered on the glacier with confidence in the skill and
prudence of our guides; several of whom being hunters, and accustomed
to chase the chamois over such places, were acquainted with all the
precautions, that it was necessary to take for our safety. To avoid
the danger of falling into the crevices, especially those masked by
the snow, we connected ourselves, three persons together, at the
distance of 10 or 12 feet apart, by a cord round the body: so that in
case of one of the three falling into a chasm, the other two could at
least support him, until assistance could be procured from the rest of
the party.

Each person was provided with a pole, 6 feet long, and pointed at the
bottom with iron, which we found to be a necessary article. Where the
crevices were not more than two or three feet broad, we leaped over
them with the assistance of our staff; others we passed on natural
bridges of snow, that threatened every moment to sink with us into the
abyss, and over others, we made a bridge of the ladder, which was
extremely slight, as otherwise it would have been impossible for a man
to carry it up the steeps we had ascended. Without its assistance, we
could not have passed the glacier. Over this slender support we
crawled with caution, suspended over a chasm, into which we could see
to an immense depth; but of which in no instance could we see the
bottom. We were sometimes forced to pass on a narrow ridge of
treacherous ice, not more than a foot in breadth, with one of these
terrific chasms on either side. The firm step, with which we saw our
guides pass these difficulties, inspired us with confidence: but I
cannot even now think of some of the situations we were placed in,
without a feeling of dread; and especially when in bed, and in the
silence of the night, th