The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1860-11-17

!
ward. at depth where no ropes that could
have been brought there could have possibly
reached me.
had now been about twenty minutes
standing in this pcrlous positions training
every nerve to prevent myself from giving
way; look ing ~ at the blue sky above me
and the CLEAR ice OF all sides. bur seldom dar-
ing to cast u glance into the abyss below
Blood was tricklirg over me from cut in .hc
cheek. and felt that my right leg fortunate.
" the idle onel was badly bruised. In the
meanwhile my left leg was becoming exceed
insly painful from the strain upon it, and
was afraid Of losing my balance if irlcd to
relieve myself by changing to the other. I
felt that WAS growing benumed by the in.
tense cold Of the ice against which | was
leaning, and of the stream of water from UNI
der which duiS: not move.
| called to my fllow-travelcr 20 know if
any one were in Sight! There was no an.
swcr. called again. No human being
seemed to be within hearing dizziness
came over me, as the thought struck Inc
- lie has gone TO look if any help is coming.
and he can not find his way back to the Gre.
vase There are hundreds Of them am
! lost"
Again had to strain every nerve to keen
myself from sinking almost gave up hone ::
| ielt inclined to throw myself down and
have the agony over. a that miserable time.
| suddenly heard my friend shouting from
above. lie had gone to look if he could dis.
Germ the guide and when he turned round
to lctiacc his steps, had been thundcrstruck
to see the surface of the glacier ntersccted
by innumerable crcvasscs. all so similar IN
appearance as to leave him no landmark bv
which to know my living grave. Thank
heaven he had caught sight Of a little KNAPP
sack left at the mouth OF the crevaSsc nv the
guide. THIS had directed hin back | call
Cd 10 HIM to look at his watch five minutes
more were past. The cold was growing
more intcnsc. 1t is no figure of speech to
say. that felt the blood freezing in my veins
| called to him again, to know ifany one were
IN sight. 1t was lhrty-fvc minutes since the
guide had started but not a soul was visible
1t was most unlikely that he could be back
SO soon, for We ourselves had been three quar-
tiers OF an hour in coming thus far.
| felt that could hold out but ii very short
time longer and besides that, | did not
know at what moment the little ledge, which
was my only safety, might give way under
my weight. remembered that had large
claspkn'fe in my pocket, and | determined
to try and rescue myself with its aid
called to my fcllow-travcler above that was
going TO attempt it. lie imploicd me not to
try; but my situation was becoming so dcs-
i'erate that did try. began by making
lit;le hole IN the ice as high up as could
teach, large enough to admit one hand. Nv
next endedvor was to cut a dee, foot.hole
about two feet above the ledge. | succeeded
IN this, and found that by placing my foot in
IT. holding fast by the place had made for
my hind. and, at the same time, pressing
with my back against the opposite side Of The
cr.vasse with al my strength, | was able to
raise myself and stand firmly in my new po-
s''ion. again let myself down OH the ledge.
! and commenced cutting another foo,-holc,
about two feet above the last 1t seemed to
me possible that in this manner | might es-
cape from my icy prison but, single slip
or lalsc step, and knew | must beprecipi-
tatcd down the crevas>e
was working diligently at the second foot
mole when heard n joyful shout from above:
lhey are IN sight three men with ropes -
running as hard as they can! -
stcadicd myself on my terribly narrow
and slippery footing, in order to be able to
Se'ze aud attach the rope when thrown to me-
saw me end Of it dangling over my head
W
is too short J" :. We have got another rome -
was answered from above: and it was knot.
ted on and lowered. | caught the end and
tied it firmly round my waist. Grasp,nr the
rope above, with both hands, gave the word
The strain began, and felt that I was SAT.
In another minute was standing on the eIa.
cier. had been fifty minutes in the creyasse
during which timeI had not lost conscious.
ness for single instant.
men l"li myself once more upon firm
footing, an all peryadng sense of gratitude
for the wonderful escape had had came over
me and made me faint, and should have
fallen if they had not held me up. THIS
was soon over, and we prepared to Start for
Montanvert. Be,orore leaving took lac,
look at the mouth Of the orcvasse. which had
so nearly been my Stpulchrc. | saw that i,
would have been utterly impossibe to climb
out, as ! had been trying to do. The month
was SO wide that. Us approached it. could
nave mad no support from behind and with
out Sucn support, not even cat could hay.
scaled the perpendicular wall.
Our guide was III a terrible state. and had
run the whole way to Mpntanvert; but could
hna no rope lit Tor the purpose in the house
lie was in despair. and was Starting off to
Chamouny, when two muletcers met him.
Their mules were laden with wood fastened
on ropes he begged hard for these ropes.
lell'hs the men that young English
man was being frozen 10 death in a crcvasse.
They threw the wood from the backs of the
mules ana came to my rescue with the guide.
Nnot!ed together, lit seemed there were three
!" an they made up a leEgth- about sixty
feet enough to reach me-
WIN the assistance of my delverers. 7 was
able to walk slowly back to Montanvert. =
Here was Immediately put into con,forta-
Ole bed, where the injuries had received
(Which were insignificant considering the
depth had fallen) were carefully dressed -
! dreamed, with nnspeakahle dread, of what
happened, when lying in that bed, and have
dreamed of it in many beds since. | believe
that nothing would induce me to 90 among
ice and snow now, without long and strong
rope. offer the caution to all other travel
ers IN Switzerland, GU, Of a great experience
and great escape.-AU The Year Round.
OVER WORKED WOMEN An over.work .
ed woman is always a sad sight saddpr n