“My mind is made up.”

Something in my tone struck him:  and when he glanced at my eye and read what was written there, his face paled perceptibly.  He hesitated a moment, then said: 

“Speak.”

I answered, with perfect calmness: 

“I will ascend the Riffelberg.”

If I had shot my poor friend he could not have fallen from his chair more suddenly.  If I had been his father he could not have pleaded harder to get me to give up my purpose.  But I turned a deaf ear to all he said.  When he perceived at last that nothing could alter my determination, he ceased to urge, and for a while the deep silence was broken only by his sobs.  I sat in marble resolution, with my eyes fixed upon vacancy, for in spirit I was already wrestling with the perils of the mountains, and my friend sat gazing at me in adoring admiration through his tears.  At last he threw himself upon me in a loving embrace and exclaimed in broken tones: 

“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 two 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 center 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 15 Barkeepers 1 Confectionery Artist 1 Latinist

Transportation, etc.

27 Porters 3 Coarse Washers and Ironers 44 Mules 1 Fine ditto 44 Muleteers 7 Cows 2 Milkers

Total, 154 men, 51 animals.  Grand Total, 205.

RATIONS, ETC.  APPARATUS