The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-01-01
MAINE, JANUARYl. 1858. .zaaa

ls~ "~S ~ "S'
! snow blew in our faces, sharp As icicls
whrlins past US in wild cddies slruo
beating Us down. AZ the storm incrca
ed. the wind, which had hitherto blow
stesdly-in our faces bCgan to waver, IN
to dash the snow down upon US in ever
direction. 1t was impossible to go on.
The last faint lingering shadow Of
hope passed away, aud we felt there va
nothing left but to die. Once or twice
wondered did not feel the torpor, whic
is the precursor Of death among the snow
steal over my senses; but We determine
not to die inactive, and the violence {
my exertions heated me to such degre
that n'Ss< than y found myself wip
ing TIC moists by brow, as
fought the hopsIeis Battle against tn
whirlwind.
That | am alive to write this is a proc
of the unslumbering Providence watch
ing over all; for there was no earthly
hopes for us, when an unseen hand guild
cd us TO safety. How we reached th'
shores none Of US ever knew; but a
length, still battling against the binding
snow, Shegashie's snow-shocs strucl
against tree. Close behind it was {
thicket Of dwarf frs, and VIC shrank into
its shelter-saved for the time.
For hours the snow continued to fall
as il incxhaustiblc; at length, however, i,
ceased, and the setting sun shonc out il
the western sky, red and angrily. TIL,
Indians said that another snow storm
was at hand. So We set about making
the best preparations We could for the
night. Our friendly thicket was no bad
shelter, and Chingoose and set TO work
with our tonahawks to cut away the
branches, until the place somewhat re.
semblcd bower; then shaking the cut
branches free from snow, we laid them
up in SOFT piles to sleep upon. Meantime
Shegashie busted himself in making a
fire and collecting fuel. We were short
OF food; for, during the last day or two,
game had been unusually scarce. But
We had sufficient for the night, and hoped
to obtain more on the morrow; Shegrshie
having set several snares round our camp
for the small Arctic harcs which abound
in those forests.
Soon after dark the snow rccommenc-
cd; and, although We were unusually
well sheltered, | never felt cold so intense
as did that night. | have rarely fel,
,Ners rejoicsd than did when saw til,
early dawn steal over the landscape, and
was able to rise from my freezing couch
and wake. my companions, who ros,
looking AS com.ortless as myself; especial
ly Chinsoos, who trcmbled as ii l,e had
an ague fit. But a little hot coffee re-
vivcd him.
shegashie went to inspect his snarcs
and, to his great disappointment, h,
found that they had not been disturbed
SO there was nothing for it but TO star
afresh without breakfast. Just as W,
trie,. on our snow-shoes, q few flakes o.
snow, like tiny birds, came foatin be
tween us and the clear blue sky. The,
were true harbingc,s; and, within a few
minutes, tile clouds began to gather anc
the snow to darken the atmosphere
Warned by the past days experience, w
remained in our camp. Hour after hou
the snow poured down in driving masses
but We were sheltered from its fury. w
had fire, and the snow settling on tn
roof and sides of our bower madcit warm
so we felt that We had more cause to b
thankful than to complain, though W
were compelled to fast.
Before long, Chingoo's indisposition G
the morning returned and rs the da
wore OH, he continued to get worse; ur
til, by evening, it was quite evident tha
lie was in the first stage Of q fever. w
ibid the best We could for him, by givin
him hot coffee and such other tritin
comforts as our slender stock afforded.
The next morning broke bright an
beautiful but it was evident that poo
Chingoos could not travel that day. I'll
fever increased, and the agne 50 shoe
him that it was with he greatest diilicu
ty he could take the coffee from o,
hands. The sliafcs were still empty, IN
this day also was passed. without food.
On the third morning, Chingoos W,
still wose. No game had been snare
or shot,, and hunger-pangs were becomin
, very fierce. We were 20 weak that "
!, could scarcely creep. About midday
hare came leaping BY, through the sno'
shot It, and We dressed il imnediatel
! To this day, l think that that was Il
sweetest meal ever tasted. We ma,
: part Of the hare into soup lsr our po'
; patient; but he was unable to take it.
to our surprise, for it seemed to us de
cious beyond expression.
From that day We never wanted foo
and were abl, to give all our though
and anxieties to Chinyoos, whose Ia