Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1861-04-20
SIOUX CITY WOODBURY. COUNTY, IOWA, APRIL 1861

thirty.ive minutes since the guide hai
started, but not soul was visible. 1t was
most unlikely that he could be back Sc
soon, for we ourselves had been three
quarters Of an hour in coming thus far.
l felt that could hold out but 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. l membered that
had large clasp knife in my pocket, and
l determined to try to rescue myself with
its aid. | called to my fellow traveller
abeve that WAS going to attempt it. He
implored me not to try but my situation
was becoming so desperate that did try
| began by making little hole in the ice
as high up as l could reach, large enough
to admit one hand. Ny next endeavor
was to cut deep foot hole about two feet
above the ledge. succeeded in this, and
found tina. by placing my foot in it, hold
ing fast by the place had made for my
hand, and, at the same time, pressing with
my hand back against the opposite side Of
the crevasse with all my strength, l was
able to raise myself and stand firmly in
my new position. lagain let myself down
on the ledge, and commenced cutting
another foot t'bo!e, abAt two feet above
the last. 1t seemed TO me possible that |
might escape from my icy prison. but Il
single slip, or false step, and | knew l
must be precipitated down the crevasse.
was working diligently at the second
foot hold when | heard a oyfu, shout from
above: "1hey are in sisht-three men
with ropes-runaing as hard as they can J.
steadied myself on my terrible narrow
aud slippery footing, in order to be able to
seize and attach the rope when thrown to
me. Saw the end Of it dangling over
my head. Merciful God 1t will not
reach ne 1t is too short + We have
60. another rope was answered from
above; and it was knotted on and lowered
| caught the end, and tied it firmly around
my waist. Graspins the rope above, with
both hands, gave the word. The strain
began, and felt that l was safe In
another minute was standing on the
glacier. had been fifty minutes in the
crevasse, during which time had not lost
consciousness for a single Instant.
When felt myself once more upon q
firm footing, OIL all-pervading sense Of
gratitude for the wonderful escape 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 Montenvert Before leaving |
took last look at the mouth of the cre-
vase, which had SO nsarly been my sepul
chre. saw that it would have bssn utter
ly impossible to climb out, as had been
trying. The mouth was 50 wide that, as |
had approached it, could have had no
support, no. even cat could have scaled
the perpendicular wall.
Our guide was in terrible state, and
had run The whole way to Montenvert, but
could fnd no rope fit tor the purpose in
the house. He was in dispair, and was
starting of to Chamouny, when two
muleteers met him. Their mules were
laden with wood fastened On with ropes
he begged hard for those ropes, telling the
men that a young EngIishman was being
frozen to death in the crevasss. They
threw the wood from the mules, and came
to my rescue with the guide, bringing the
ropes with them. knotted together, Git
seemed there were three in alD they made
up "a length-about sixty feet-enough to
reach me.
With the assistance Of my delverers,
was able to walk slowly back to Montan.
vert. Here | was Immediately put into a
comfortable bed, where the injuries | had
received which were insignificant consid
ering the depth had fallen) were careful.
ly dressed. l dreamM with unspeakabls
dread, of what had happened, when lying
in that bed, and | have dreamed of it in
many beds since. believe that nothing
would induce me to go among ice and
snow now without long and strong rope.
| offer the caution to all ether travellers in
Switzerland, out Of great experience and
great escape.