The men now scaled it.

The fathers of Saint-Bernard were awaiting them on the summit.

As each gun came up the men were taken by squads into the hospice.

Tables were set along the passage with bread and Gruyere cheese and wine.
When the soldiers left the convent they pressed the hands of the monks and embraced the dogs.
The descent at first seemed easier than the ascent, and the officers declared it was their turn to drag the guns.

But now the cannon outstripped the teams, and some were dragged down faster than they wished.