Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-11-27
MONTPELIER, VERMONT, ra RsDAH NOVEMBER 81, 1856

"ewcrc able to melt water and get some soup
cooked before the rest of our party arrived il
took them but five hours to walk the nine miles
Ihey were doing we'll, and, considering the cir
cumstances, in wonderful spirits. The day was
most provdentially MINDLESS, with a clear sun,
All enjoyed the refreshments we had got ready;
the crippled were re-packed in their robes; and
we sped briskly towards the hummock ridges
which Lay between us and the Pinnacly Berg
Our halts multiplied, and we fell half sleep
ing on the snow. could not preventA Strange
TO say, it refreshed us. venture1upon the ex-
pertinent myself, making Riley wake me at the
end OF three minutes !; and felt so much bene-
htted by it that | timed the same way They
sat on the runners of the sedge, fell asleep in
stantly, and were forced to wakefuness when
their three minutes were out.
By eight in the evening we emerged from the
hoes' The sight of the Pinnacly Berg revived
us. Brandy, an invaluable resource in emer-
gency, had already been served out in table
spoonful doses. We now took longer rest,
and last but stoutcr dram, and reachd the brig
ut p. NJ we believe without halt.
say zoe believe: and here perhaps is the most
decided proof of our sufferings we were quite
de!irlous, and had ceased to entertain a sane ap-
prehension of the circumstances about US. We
moved on like men in dream. Our footsteps
seen afterward showed that we had steered
a bee line for the brig, 1t must have been by a
sort of instinct, for it left no impress on the
memory. Bonsnl was seen staggering ahead
and reached the brig God knows how, for he
had fallen repeatedly at the tracS;-lines but he
delivered with punctilous accuracy the messi.-
ges had sent by him to DR.. Hayes. | thought
myself the soundest of all, for | went through
all the formula Of sanity, and can recall the
mutterng delirium OF my comrads when We
got back into the cabin of our brig, Yet have
been told since of some speeches and some or
ders too of mine, which | should have rcmem-
bered for their absurdity if my mind had re-
tanned its balance
When it is remembered that this is only one
OF numerous adventures and escapes of silni
lar character, one is lost in amazement at the
powers of human endurance rs exhibited b,
this heroic party. We are not surprised at the
energy and determination displayed by DR.
Kane, for upon him rested, as it were, the eyes
of two nations. OF him much was expected
and we can readily conceive that his physica
endurance was largely increased by his sense .ol
+individual responsibility But that his compan
ions, with scarcely an exception with little re
sponsib ility. and less to gain or lose b,
the success or failure Of the objects of thu
expedition, should encounter the most ex
treme hardships so uncomplninngly, is in
deed remarkable. We mus, seek for IN expla
nation in some inherent qnality in their Ieadc
some peculiar adaptedncss to the command o
such an expedition.
1t is vident that the men had confidence il
their leader. They had expected me; they were
sure | would come!' was the exclamation of the
poor fellows whose suiitrings are referred to ir
the above extract. DR.. Kane did come, without
counting the cost to himself, and his arrange
ments Tor the rescue were SO jndicious that they
were all saved as it were from the Jaws OF death
although two of the number subsequently died
This confidence in their leader, inspired by those
qualities which eminently fitted him to lead
largely contributed tr the success of the expe-
dition, and VIC may remark en- passant, that
this is one Of the secrets of the success of Col
Fremont as an explorer.