Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-12-20
UNDER THE ICE.

UNDER THE ICE.
Translated from the Germs1.l
There was no brayer guide, or more
skiilful hunter, that ever set foot upon
the Matterhorn, or crawlcd over the
dangerous glaciers Of Monte Rosa, than
Uric Peterson. He was a man of i'm
mense strength and great daring and
had often tracked the wilderness of snow
when those who followed the same call
ing willingly remained in their cottage in
the well-protected village. He elaughed
at his companions when they talked of
danger: aud made light of the fears of
his good wife when she trembled at the
bowling of the fierce winds, or the ava
lanche Of snow that now and then swept
down with irresistible force upon the
little chalets. With well-spiked shoes,
a stout alpenstock, confidence in himself,
and firm and feryent trust in God, he
ayowed that a man was as safe upon the
topmost cliffs of the cloud piercing
Matterhorn as in the brook-threaded
valley e Tourmanehes. But the timid
heart of womanhood could not look up
on the matter in the same light although
her trust in the good Lord was equally
strong: and so, when she saw him take
down his trusty rife, powder-horn,
and heavily-shod iron staff, one morning,
she clunr to him, and begged that he
would not 90 out upon the mountains.
There is every sign of storm, she
said. "You know how terrible they are.
We have food enough in the cottage,
Do stay at home with the little ones.
THAT would 1, wife, was the reply,
.:if / had not seen an ibex as | was COM
ing home Yesterday evening. He was a
stout old fellow, with huge horns; and
fancied that he was almost laughing at
me as crcpt around the cliff upon which
he was standing.
"But, Uric, think of the storm thai
is certainty coming.
Il have been in many a one, and care
nothing for them l love the free whir.
| ling Of the feathery snow. So, good
wife, get me something to eat. L mus
I be off before the day dawns.
With a heavy sigh, the woman did a.
( he had requested and, with his tonC
kiss still lingering upon ber lips, she saw
/ him climb the mountainside until turI
in the path hid him from her view
Then she sank upon her knees by th'
bedside of her still slumbering children
and committed him into the keeping o
that God who had thus far preserved
him in the midst of every danger, Mean
time, Uric hastened onward with
light foot. twas still dark in the val
| lev but far above him he could see tn
white peaks glittering in the dim hgh
of the morning, and the fast palm
stars. Higher and higher he climbed
and soon the sun arose, shedding Its ray
of rosy gold upon the icy piles, an
making them flash as if builded of my
Rad diamonds. To stranger 1t woul
have been a dazzling sight; to the bray
hunter it had lost something of Il
charm BIZ familiarity and he pressed OF
, ward and upward. The road grew MOI
and more rough and difficult. He WI
, Obliged to pick his way, and Chamber U
! steep crags but at last he reached Il
edge of a large glacier. lie sat dow
? and rested for little time and satisfied b
! hunger, exandng his shoes and the poi
! of his alpenstock, and again set brave
\ forth, leaping the yawning chasms, al
= yuerdinU asainst treacherous cracks.
s A wall Of polished ice arose beto
g him. and he knew that he would have
= scale it before he could get within sh
> Of the coveted game. With great dii
= Guilty. it was accomplished and, hndi
= the tracks of the ibex, he followed the
until. suddenly turning ragged poi
y he found himself within easy shot, al
r. in an instant, the report Of his rifle b
th awakened the echoes Of the mountal
in With the 'thud" Of the bullet, the be-
! spraug forward but its tail was droopt
z lis head hanging heavily down, its g
"a slow, and step uncertain. lie knew Il
i the whizzing lead had reached its mar
n that the animal would soon die, and
is napsed 10 reload his rife before he
22na lowed Il will surprise my good vii
~ ~ he thought, by returning sooner Il
or sbe expected, and / viii have hea
Ee, Iauoh at the towards who dared
Az venture from their snug cottage for
i,e Of storm.
C With a smile upon his lips, he hast
igi ed to where the ibex was lying,
sifi raised il in his arms. Then, with
30 sn of horror, he felt his footing giving "
to, and hunter and game were swallowed
,ra in a creyasse Of almost untathomi
we depth. The thin covering of ice
'eai been sufficiently strong to bearthe wei
no, Of the beast, but that of Uric adj
mi. mi. had shiyered ii as if it had been an
not she'll.
ote Down, down,-hunter and i
through the debris, Of snow and
the Ivino there for thousand years.
3 If fsncied that the bottom would neve
Mr.. reached. The most profound dark
in enyeloped him his hands could el
nothing but dampness-bnt Chi
ons, aakes Fortunately, the carcass OF
- beast was beneath him. Yet for all
his safeguard, he lay for long time ins
he When consciousness returned
other day had dawned, and its &c
the gIories had fouad their way even t
bottom of the yawing grave in whi'
,tur. was living. He thought upon the
belnlessness Of bis situation; tha