September 5 Thursday – The two “tramps” left Martigny on foot at 8 AM, bound for Chamonix, nineteen uphill miles in the hot sun. They skirted the Tête Noir Mountain. Sam noted the beauty of Argientiere as they approached [MTNJ 2: 171, 173]. They dined at Argientiere and hired a wagon for the last six miles into Chamonix [Rodney 109; MTNJ 2: 172]. In his notebook, Sam wrote:

Driver very drunk but a good driver—went like the wind—said in French he was the King of drivers. The other chap, very drunk too (both good-natured) called himself the Captain of Mont Blanc—had made more ascents than any man–48 & his brother 37. He spoke German. Driver invited a nurse & baby in as we approached Chamounix [MTNJ 2: 172].

The men took rooms at the Hotel d’Angleterre. Sam went to the post office and telegraphed Rev. Eden to see if Sam left his letter of credit at the bank. When he left it was dark and Sam included description of the beautiful moon-set scenes in his notebook.

Sam, in Chamonix, France, inscribed a copy of Punch Brothers Punch to Robert Eden [MTLE 3: 86].