we could see all its details.  While I looked, a woman rode by the house on a mule, and I saw her with sharp distinctness; I could have described her dress.  I saw her nod to the people of the house, and rein up her mule, and put her hand up to shield her eyes from the sun.  I was not used to telescopes; in fact, I had never looked through a good one before; it seemed incredible to me that this woman could be so far away.  I was satisfied that I could see all these details with my naked eye; but when I tried it, that mule and those vivid people had wholly vanished, and the house itself was become small and vague.  I tried the telescope again, and again everything was vivid.  The strong black shadows of the mule and the woman were flung against the side of the house, and I saw the mule’s silhouette wave its ears.

The telescopulist—­or the telescopulariat—­I do not know which is right—­said a party were making a grand ascent, and would come in sight on the remote upper heights, presently; so we waited to observe this performance.  Presently I had a superb idea.  I wanted to stand with a party on the summit of Mont Blanc, merely to be able to say I had done it, and I believed the telescope could set me within seven feet of the uppermost man.  The telescoper assured me that it could.  I then asked him how much I owed him for as far as I had got?  He said, one franc.  I asked him how much it would cost to make the entire ascent?  Three francs.  I at once determined to make the entire ascent.  But first I inquired if there was any danger?  He said no—­not by telescope; said he had taken a great many parties to the summit, and never lost a man.  I asked what he would charge to let my agent go with me, together with such guides and porters as might be necessary.  He said he would let Harris go for two francs; and that unless we were unusually timid, he should consider guides and porters unnecessary; it was not customary to take them, when going by telescope, for they were rather an encumbrance than a help.  He said that the party now on the mountain were approaching the most difficult part, and if we hurried we should overtake them within ten minutes, and could then join them and have the benefit of their guides and porters without their knowledge, and without expense to us.

I then said we would start immediately.  I believe I said it calmly, though I was conscious of a shudder and of a paling cheek, in view of the nature of the exploit I was so unreflectingly engaged in.  But the old daredevil spirit was upon me, and I said that as I had committed myself I would not back down; I would ascend Mont Blanc if it cost me my life.  I told the man to slant his machine in the proper direction and let us be off.

Harris was afraid and did not want to go, but I heartened him up and said I would hold his hand all the way; so he gave his consent, though he trembled a little at first.  I took a last pathetic look upon the pleasant summer scene about me, then boldly put my eye to the glass and prepared to mount among the grim glaciers and the everlasting snows.