Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1869-05-07

about half way across, the snow storm came
dashing down in our faces with fierce gust
that almost threw us off our feet Staggered
and breathless. we stopped. Near as the
brothers were, could see no more than the
outlines of their dark forms through the
thick curtain Of snow which fell between US /;
while nothing was visible beyond but dazzling
snow fakes tumbling, whirling. and rushing
down to overwhelm US.
- We must" cried Shegashie, - keep the
wind in our faces. OF we shall never reach
the shore
He at once led the way, his brother and
following, and with difficulty distinguishing
him as lie shuiiled heavily on before US. Al
ready the weight of snow upon our snow
shoes impeded us greatly, and it increased
each moment, until We could scarcely drag
them along. The snow blew in our faces,
sharp az iclcles, whirling past u in wild
eddies almost beatingus down. rs the storm
increased, the wind, which had hitherto
blown steadily IN our faces, began to waver
and to dash the snow down upon US in every
direction. 1t was impossible 20 20 on.
The last ilint lingering shadow OF a hope
passed away, and We felt there was nothing
left but 10 die. Once OF twice | wondered l
did not feel the t1rTor, which Is tie precAr-
slr OF death among the snow, steal over my
senses: but we determined not to die mac
tfvc. and the violence OF my excrtions heated
mo o. such degree that more than once l
found myself wiping the moisture from my
lrlw. as fought tha hopeless battle against
the vhirIwind.
That am alive E. write this. is a proof OF
tr,. nu.lamIerinr Providence watching over
E.1
when an unseen hand guided Us o. safety.
How we reached the shore none OF US ever
tncv. hat. at length, still battling against
the binding SHOW, Shegashie's snow-sh0es
struck against tree. Close beside it was a
thicSct OF dwarf frs, and we shrank into Its
shcltcr-saved for the time.
For hours the snow continued to fall as if
incxhausthle: at length, however, it ceased
and the setting sun shone out in the western
SKY red and angrily. The Indians said that
another sn0w-st3rm was at hand. So we set
about making the best preparations we could
fog ,h7 night. Our friendly thcket was no
bad shelter, and ChingoOs and | set to work
z vi,A our tomahawks to cut away the bran
-les until the place somewhat resemhled a
. bower: then. shaking the cut branches free
from snow, we laid them up IN soft piles to
sleep upon. Meantime SLerashie busted
himself in making fire and collecting fuel.
We were short Of food for, during the last
day OF two. game had been unusually scarce.
Bat We had sufficient for the night, and hoped
% obtain more on the morrow, Shegshie
.i So; - ,-I;.l, oI,nnJ /, tbcse
forests.
soon after dark the snow recommended ,
and although we We're unusually Wen 1liei, ,., ,
terered, never iclt cold so intense az ! ili
tAat nlght nave rarely Ielt more IeJoicel
tHan Hi1 Nhen ] saw the carry GAVIN s'eai
over the landscape. ana was anle % rise from
my freezing c'gcl aua "'hen my c'mI~h
ions, vino rose looking a- c.ini'rt-ess as my
-cli. csperiaiiy tnng1'~. VINO trem lei as Of
be had on ague it, But a little not c'iee
revived him.
She.ashie went to inspect his snarCs. and.
70 bis great disappointment, he found that
they had uo- been disturbed so there was
ue-li1s for IL hut TO start airesh withou,
breakfast. just as we bad tod ou our SNOW
shoes. few fakes Of snow. like tiny birds.
came floating between us and the clear. blue
sky. They were true harbinrers; and with
in q few minutes the clouds began TO gather
and the snow 20 darkcn the atmosphere.
Warmed 10y the past days experience. we re-
mained IN our camp. llour after hour the
snow poured down in driving masses; hut
We were sheltered from its fury. We bad
fire, and the snow settling on the roof and
sides of our bower made it warm So We felt
that we had more cause 70 he thankful than
20 complain, though we were compelled to
iast-
Before long Chinr1ls indisplsition Of the
morning returned and. as dav wore Oh, be
continued o. get worse. until. by evening. il
was quite evident that he was in the first
stage 1fa fever: We did the best we could for
hlm bv giving him hot coffee and such other
trilin- comforts as our slcnierstock afforded.
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-''' .'i-' NV. III
''.s '''01' ''-0 '''', ~ ''1''
- - -
ing ny U.-' .5l '5e 7i-1" r ~. s''o' y ,.''i
we e't7s.' l l'ii'ii,.''.''1ly' 40 ''l7 pAs
-'li'@ l--- 'i1I was 'ne ii'"- we
laslli. ID maze part ol the mare IHl'
soup l'T our poor patent ou. ne was uh
anie o Jake Ito our surprise l'f IL seeulea
10 us aeliclous beyond expression
i''I '''.'- N.s "''1i .'l-
ieties to Chinro1s. whose last hour was evi-
IDENTIFY drawing near. lie held out his hand
to his brother. and Shcrashie. forgetting the
stoical demeanor Of his race which he had
tried hard TO maintain. burst into tear7 as he
held it in his bosom. When he released it,
it fell cold and stid upon the snow.
Shecashe did not speak for hours, but
wept incessantly. The earth was frozen too
hard to admit Of our digging grave. We
were, therefore, compelled to lay the liteless