, 1862-05-01
cept the little ledge on which had SO iniracu-
lOOsiV rhAnrpd iN fall

Ventured TO look down, only tor an instant,
into the fearful chasm in which was suspended.
At the depth to which had fallen the crevasse
was barely two feet wide, but downward ii mar
rowed rapidly, and about two hundred feet be
low ne the sides appeared to join. ! believe
that IL had fallen six inches on either side Of
the little ledge, | must inevitably have been
jammed in head downward, at depth where no
ropes that could have been brought there could
possibly have reached me.
had now been about twenty minutes stand
ing in this perilous position, strainihg every
nerve to prevent myself from giving way, look
ing up at the blue sky above me, and the clear
ice on all Sides but seldom daring to cast
glance in the abyss below. Blood was trickling
over me from cut in my cheek, and felt that
my right leg fortunately the idle one) was badly
bruised. In the meanwhile, my left leg was be-
coming exceedingly painful from the strain upon
it, and was airSid Of losing my balance II
tried to relieve myself by changing to the other.
felt that was growing benumbed BY the in
tense cold Of the ice against which Twas leaning
and Of the stream Of water from under which /
burst not move.
called to my fellow traveller to know II any
one were in sight There was no answer.
called again. No human being seemed to be
within hearing. A dizziness came over me; as
the thought struck me, "He has gone to look IL
any help q coming, and he cannot End his way
back to the crevaSse. There are hundreds Of
them. am lOstl"
Again had to strain every nerve to keep
myself from sinking; almost gave up hope; |
felt inclined to throw myself down and have
the agony over. At that miserable time, sud-
denly heard my friend shouting ifom above.
He had gone to look IL he could discern the
guide; and, when he turned round to retrace
his steps, had been thunderstruck to see the sur
face Of the glacier intersected by innumerable
creyasses all so similar in appearance as to leave
him no landmark by which to know my living
grave. Thank Heaven be had caught sight
Of little knapsack left at the mouth Of the Gre
vase by the guide. This had directed him back.
l called TO him to look at his watch-6ve minutes
were past The cold was growing more intense.
It is no figure Of speech to say that felt the
blood freezing In my veins l called to him
again, to know IL any one were in sight II
was thirty-five minutes since the guide had
started, but not soul was visible. Il was most
unlikely that he could be back so soon, for We
ourselves bad been three-q quarters Of an hour Ia
coming thus far.
felt that could hold out but q 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
I remembered that had q large clasp knife in
my pocket and determined 70 try to rescue
myself with its aid. called to my fellow ira
veler above that was going TO attempt ii. 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 !
could reach, large enough to admit one hand
My next endeavor was 70 cut q fOothOld about
two feet above the ledge. l succeeded In this,
and found that by placing my foot in it, holding
fast by the place had made for my band, and,
at the same time, pressing with my back against
the opposite side Of the crevasse with al my
strength, was able to raise myself and stand
firmly in my new position. ! again let myself
down on the ledge, and commenced cutting
another foot hole, about two feet above the last
1t seemed TO me possible that In this manner |
might escape from my icy prison; but, q single
slip or false step, and knew that ! must be
precipitated down the crevassa
was working diligently at the second foot
hole, wien heard joyful shout from above
"They are in sight--three men with ropes
running as hard as they cani"
steadied myself on my terribly narrow and
slippery footing in order 70 be able to seize and
attach the rope when thrown TO me. ] saw the
end Of Il dangling over my bead.
"Mcrciful Godl II viii not reach mel Il Is
too short |"
eve have got another rope" was answered
from above; and 1t was knotted on and lowered.
caught the end, and tied Il firmly round my
waist Grasping the rope above, with both
hands, gave the word. The strain began, and
felt that was safe. In another minute I was
standing on the glacier Ihad been fifty minutes
10 the crevasse, during which time had not lost
consciousness for single instant
When felt myself once more upon . Hrm
footing an all-pervading sense Of gratitude for
the wonderful escape had bad came over me,
and made me faint; and should have fallen il
they had not held me up. This was soon over,
and we prepared to start for MOntanvert. Be-
fore leaving took last look at the mouth Of
the crevasse, which had so nearly been my se-
pulchre. I saw that It would have been utterly
impossible to climb out, as had been trying TO
do The mouth was so wide that, as ] ap-
preached it, could have had no support from
behind; and without such support, not evtn
cat could have scaled the perpendicular vail.
Our guide was in terrible state, and had run
the whole way to MOntanvert; but could find no
rope tit for the purpose in the house. He was
in despair and was starting OF 10 Chamouny,
when two mulctcers met him. Their mules
were laden with wood, fastened on with ropes ;
be begged hard for those ropes, 'elling them that
young Englshman was being frozen to death
10 q crevasse. They threw the wood from the
backs Of the mules. and came to my rescue with
the guide, bringing the ropes with them
KnOtIed together 0t seemed there were three In
alD they made up a length-about sixty feet
enough to reach me.
With the assistance Of my dcliverers, was
able to walk slowly back to MOntanvert, where
I was Immediately put in a comfortable bed
where the injuries had received (Which were
insignificant, considering the depth had fallen)
were carefully dressed dreamed, with un.
speakable dread, Of what had happened, when
lying in that bed, and have dreamed Of Il in
many beds since I believe that nothing would
induce me to go among ice and snow now, with
out long aud strong rope. ! offer the caution
To al other travellers 10 SaitLerland, out u
great experience and great escape.