Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustrations. See 13257-h.htm or 13257-h.zip: (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/3/2/5/13257/13257-h/13257-h.htm) or (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/3/2/5/13257/13257-h.zip) Images of the original pages are available through Internet Archive/American Libraries. See http://www.archive.org/details/americanbaron00demiiala THE AMERICAN BARON. A Novel. by JAMES DE MILLE, Author of "The Dodge Club," "The Cryptogram," "Cord and Creese," &c. With Illustrations. [Illustration: "AND AS THEY STOOD THE CLERGYMEN SLOWLY CAME OUT OF THE HOUSE" --(SEE PAGE 132.)] NEW YORK: HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS, FRANKLIN SQUARE. 1872. * * * * * By PROF. JAMES DE MILLE. _THE DODGE CLUB_; or, Italy in 1859. Illustrated. 8vo, Paper, 75 cents; Cloth, $1.25. _CORD AND CREESE_. A Novel. Illustrated. 8vo, Paper, 75 cents; Cloth, $1.25. _THE CRYPTOGRAM_. A Novel. Illustrated. 8vo, Paper, $1.50; Cloth, $2.00. _THE AMERICAN BARON_. A Novel. Illustrated. 8vo, Paper. Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, New York. _Sent by mail, postage prepaid, to any part of the United States, on receipt of the price._ * * * * * Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by HARPER & BROTHERS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. THE AMERICAN BARON. [Illustration: "PARDON, MEES."] CHAPTER I. THE AVALANCHE. Somewhat less than a hundred years ago a party of travelers might have been seen crossing over the Simplon Road, _en route_ for Italy. They had been detained at Brieg by reports that the road was impassable; and, as it was the month of March, the prospect of snow and storms and avalanches was sufficient to make them hesitate. At length the road had been reopened, and they were informed that the journey might be made on sleds. Unwilling to wait at Brieg, and equally unwilling to make a detour so as to take the railroad, the party decided to go on. They were informed that they could go on wheels as far as the line of snow, but that afterward their accommodations would not be so comfortable as they might desire. The road had been cleared for only a few feet; the snow was deep; the sleds were rude; and progress would be slow. These statements, however, did not shake the resolution of the party; and the end of it was that they determined to go on, and cross the mountain if it were possible.