Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1855-10-20
The X ane Expedition Thrilling Adyen-
lures.

The Il ane Expeuiiloh-- lEflliihS AuFch'
lures.
Some Of the episodes encoun tered du-
ring DR.. Kane's search, have wild inter-
est. AT one time it became necessary to
send fatigue patty with provisions, to
assist the main party under DR.. Kane, IN
an attempted passage across Smith $
Sound. This party was under the COM
mand Of Mr.. Brooks, first officer OF the
expedition. He was accompanied by
Mr.. Wilson and other volunteers. Du-
ring their travel they found the ice com
plelely impenetrable, and snow drift at
last swept wildly over the foes, and IN
the midst OF heavy gale from the Norih,
The thermometer. 10 their dismay, sank 10
ffiy.seven degrees below zero. human
nature could not support the terrible cold
Four Of the party, including Mr.. Brooks
and Mr.. Wilson, were Frustrated win
frozen feet, ard with great difficulty three
of their ompanions, after encounterlng
great suffering, reached the ship and an
nounced The condition of their comrades.
Their chances Of being rescued seemed
extremely small.
They were in the midst Of a wilderness
of snow, incapable of motion, protected
only by a canvass tent, and with no land
marks by which their position could be
known. Even TO drag these manned
mel would have been, under ordinary cir
cumslances, work of difficulty, but TO
the slender party left at The ship il seem
ed to be impossible. DIR. Kane, with the
holiness and courage which justified the
warm attachment fel, towards him by all
under his command, in less than one hour
organized rescuing party, leaving on
board only those who were necessary TO
receive the sick, and started off in the
teeth of terrible gale, steering by COM
pass, to rescue the sufferers. After nine
teen hours constant travel, during which
two Of the party tainted, and others re-
quired to be kept from sleep by force, they
struck the trail of the lost party, and final
ly, staggering under their burdens, one by
one reached the tent, which was almost
hidden by the snow. ~
The scene as d.. Kane entered the
ent, was affecting beyond description.
The party burst out INTO tears. A blnb-
Der fire was immedialely built, Pemmican
cooked, and the party ale for the first time
lfetr leaving the vessel. Ice was also
melted, they having been TO this time
wilhou, drink. Worn out as they were,
but four hours were allowed for the halt. !
The manned of the frozen party were
sowed up in Buffalo robes, placed on
sledges and dragged along by their COM
panions, Dir. Kane walking i'll advance, !
end picking the track. Cold OF The Ut
most severity again overlook them. Bon
sail and Merton, and even the Esqnlmaux
boy lance, sunk upon the snow with
sleep. 1t was only by force that they
were aroused and made TO proceed, as
The cold seemed TO have destroyed all
conception Of danger. A large bear met
on their way, was fortunately scared Oft /
by DR.. Kane, by the simple waving of
his hand. II
They reached the ship after walk of
sixty-two hours, still dragging their COM
panions behind them, bu, insensble. Dr..
Hayes, the intelligent surgeon Of the,
ship, from whom we obtained the paric-.l
ulars of this fearful adventure, receivedi
the returning party. Two of the number
died of their injuries, and two others un-
derwent amputation, who are now, resior-
ed TO perfect health. The condition OF
those who dragged the sick, was most
Their memory for time
was entirely gone, and the ship, in the
midst of muttering deilrium, resembled an
hospital. The surgeon and one remain
ing attendant were in sole charge OF the
slap. In this state of semi'madness the
sick remained for two or three days, bui
they entirely recovered, and
the party under Dr.. Kane started three
weeks afterwards and resumed their Ia
bors in the field.
lntrepidiiy like this, has never been
surpassed. It's spoken of with emotion,
even now, by the stoutest hearts in the
eynedition. FORK Journal.