The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-05-09
THE ICE-FIELDS OF ALASKA.


Ben Ringbolt and / shipped on board the
North Star, on q three years whaling voy-
age. Ben and had been brought up boys
together and the first time we went to sea,
it was in the same ship, and we never parted
until poor Ben went out on that long voyage
which we have all to take sooner or later,
and from which none have ever come back
to spin yarns about the wonders they have
seen beyond. Ben and / had always been
like brothers and when we went out in the
North Star, each Of US left sweetheart be-
hind Us that we had promised to marry on
our return and as everything we did was
known to the other, we used TO talk Of them
between ourselves, and picture their joy
when we should return. Poor Ben ! Poor
Mary They little thought then, at parting,
that when the ship came back it would only
be signal of sorrow to one of them
Well, the North Star sailed away each
day put miles and miles betW cen US and
those We had left behind and In due time
we had rounded the Horn and sailed away
up the west sideof the Continent, and at last
reached our fishing grounds. The season
was well advanced, so we had but little time
for work and almost before we knew it, the
long nights and the cold were upon US so
we bore away for Alaska, where We we're
soon snugly housed for the long and dreary
winter that Was coming over the ice and snow,
like ship with her sails all set, before q
spanking bretze.
Here we had laid coeped up for good two
months, with only now and then Q turn on
shore to pay visit to the natives. The sun
bad scarcely shown his face at all, and only
few moments at q time when he did, Ii
was all night, though il was as light as day,
for the sky was all ablaze -Yith great flaming
swords that seemed to wave to and fro as you
looked upon them. You never saw anything
in your life half SO grand IS those nights
we're, when there were no clouds, and the
flames were flashing on the snow and ice.
There 10 nothing that l ever saw which
could compsre With it.
One day, or rather night, some Of the ma
tIves came on board and reported that huge
white bear had been seen near the coast, and
was now making of over the ice, tow ards
the bills, which we could see sparkling in the
light some four or five miles away. Every
one, from the captain down 10 the cook, was
eager to go In pursuit of the animal, which
course, al could not go, and as an example
to those who must be left behind, the captain
remained, and the first mate led tie party,
among which, it so ehanced, were Ben and
Thanking our stars that we had got q
chance to stretch our legs ashore. We were
not long in being put on the trail by natives /;
and we were not q mile from shore when we
saw our game proceeding along some distance
ahead of us,.making his way in no hurry to-
wards the bills, or rather cliffs of ice that
stretched themselves along the horizon. The
snow and ice We're SO hard, that it seemed as
though we we've travelling on = marble floor,
and the bear hardly left trail enough for us
to discern where it had passed along.
1t was sport for us, thus to have free use
Of our legs; and with loud shouts, now and
then, which we found it impossible IC up
press, we hurried on in hopes Of getting near
enough to the bear to send shot after it be-
fore it should begin to climb tie hills, where.
perhaps, it had its den, or might hide from
Us unless soon brought to bay. But in spite
Of all our hurry, it reached the foot of the
cliffs and began to climb up the jagged
masses, while we were still so far distant
that shot sent after it must be well direct
ed 20 have taken effect, even had the bullet
gone as far.
Once or twice the bear had turned and
looked toward s,as il seenting pursuit, and
then had gone on again at the same pace as
before. And now, after climbing ND Jag
ged clif, as high as the masthead, where ii
could obtain good lookout, it stopped and
took deliberate look at us; and although
we cana hurIyng On, it showed no haste to
proceed. At last the mate determined to
risk q shot, and, bringing bis piece TO bear,
he sent q bullet flying in the direction of the
monster, who, rearing on his hind legs and
uttering growl, showed that be had re-
ceived the ball. A shout of triumph broke
from our throats, for we felt sure the bear
was now In our power, and Incapable Of
leading Hs much longer chase. But in this
we soon found that we were mistaken for
With another growl at us, be went on at an
increased rate, and in few moments was
hidden from our sight amid the jagged mass
es Of ice, that, as We neared the foot Of the
hill, 1t seemed impossible TO climb over.
Though the way.was steep and slippery.
We found that We could secure foothold
where the bear had gone, though Ii had the
adv antage Of as as regarded its claws. BEN
was in the Advance, next, and the rest Of
the party struggling behind. After 4 while
we managed to reach the spot where the
snow was marked by crimson streak. riv-
ing ne trail that we sould no. mistake.
and encouraged BY. this sign, we gave another
shout and pressed on. | can tell you that
was hard cli-bing, and more dangerous than
running ny 90 the masthead with the ship
threatening every moment to be tossed on
its beam ends. There were no ropes to cling
to, and mis-step would have sent us down
like . rocket. Once | slipped, and had it
not been for Ben's hand, held out as the same
moment, I muss have gone down and been
dashed to pieces on the solid ics hundred
feet below. 80
We got at last to the top Of the first ranrs
of cliffs which overhung the plain below, and
10 the spot where the bear mad disappesred
from our view. lt was nowhere 10 Be seen /:
bat before No was . narrow chaam allied with
great masses Of ice that had fallen from the
high cliffs in the rear, which ovsrAuDg IL.
The crimson trail led in among their broken
fragments, and with another sboak after Ne
bad taken breath, we passed o., Ben still
keeping in the advances and followed him
close, keeping an ere ong for danger. -,
A cali from the mate to me oacssd me 70
pause until he came mp !; and Ben, eager 10
be the first. went On alone, and before ne
moved forward We had lost him from sieht.
Eager TO be- with him increased nv psce.
the nate did also but hard y had ue faksn
q doEen steps when the report III Henss IL.
ttl startled ns, and the echoes rc:'sd among
~ c!ihsE q he same nonent followed bY :
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