Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1869-10-21

lance, until was stopped by an upright
mass of ice.
All around me | heard burst of fearful
sound-a sound of crashing timbers, fall
ing masts, roaring waters, crumhling
masses of ice and bowling winds, while
high and distinct above them all arose a.
shrll wall of human agony which shall
never be forgotten by me, until my ear is
closed to all earthly sounds forever.
Msseric0rdeP
Alone there in the thick darkness, cling
ing to the mass of ice before me, with the
tempest bowling around, and the sense of
horror at the fate of my companions, it
was wonderful that through the accumu-
lated terrors of that fearful moment nv
mind passed without failing beneath the
unequal trial.
"NiSaic0gdeW
| too exclaimed the last word of nv
companions, and sunk senseless upon the
ice.
How long l lay | knew not 1t could
not have been less than an hour, but at
last sense returned, and with 1t all the
recollection of my situation.
rose to my feet painfully.
was first aware of my own physical
condition. Yet before doing anything |
cast look around
The fog had cleared away altogether.
The broad expanse of ocean lay before
me, its deep blue surface rejecting the
gorgeous rays of the sun which was just
rising. There was not breath of wind,
and the sea was as unruffled as mountain
lake.
cast a glance downward to see if there
was single vestge of the Inflated ship.
Alas not single vestige could be seen.
Not plank-not even a chip foated upon
the water. All had gone down. Not
wretch was saved. | only only had
escaped to tell the tale.
was standing upon broad surface of
ice nearly half an acre in extent. 1t was
smooth and slippery as glass twas near
ly level. was at the lower end of it, and
had been stopped by high wall against
which had struck.
The iceberg was of the most colossal
magnitude and grandeur. At the side of
the slippery surface where stood it went
sheer down perpendicularly into the sea.
But its edge extended away on either side
for an immense distance. Its edge ought
to be called coast so extraordinary was
its extent. On the other hand, behind me
it assembled far into the air. Not all at
once or abruptly, but by a series Of ter
races, until at last far away its lofty sum-
nit seemed to touch the clornds, The ter
races were regular and even. At inter-
walls along the ascent arose towers and
pinnacles, and upon the topmost point
vast spire of glittering ice shot up straight
into the skies for at least a hundred feet
Seen from distance it looked like some
glorious city, some magnificent capital
such as we read Of in the fantastic story
of the Arabian dreamer.
Alas! to me there was no time for ad.
miration or wonder. All this took in at
a glance. quickly returned to myself
| was chilled through. Fortunately |
had slept that night with my clothes on,
or it would have been worse with me. AS
it was, my hands and feet were perfectly
numb.
rubbed my hands violently, struck and
beat them, and at the same time ran up.
and down stamping my feet. The violent
exertion brought warmth into my system.
My hands began at length to have some
thing Ike sensation, but my feet were
frozen
began to think now with greater des-
pair upon my situation.
There was no hope for me,
could see all around. Not sail was
upon the vast eXpanse. Yet on one side !
could not see. 1t was hidden by the lofty
island of ice.
In moment my resolution was formed
81 will go there" | said, aloud. II can
but die. To stay here will be to perish
slowly, To g there will be to seek a
chance for life. Moreover, it will distract
my thoughts, which here will drive me
mad. will 60"
And go l did. | set forth boldly.
mounted terrace after terrace as | went
along on a journey such as no mortal man
has ever undertaken Buoyed up by the
dear hope of life, | went bravely on.
Deep chasms intercepted me-awful
precipices rose before me- My footstep
disturbed immense masses OF ice, which
came crashing down, yet Still went on.
What will not hope make a man do?
| On on! Nearer! nearer And now
the summit is Observation-Disclosures. 1t
is gained There, at last, stand at the
foot of the lofty pinnacle-alone on my
vast iceberg
Alone! Oh, what is that upon the
Cceang
Never before was the presence of man
50 dear to his despairing fellow.
There, not a mile from me, was the
form of an ocean steamer, slowly passing
by on the course toward America. | saw
the tumult, the hurry, the thronging the
confusion
| was seen.
The steamer hove to. A boat was let
down, and in few minutes was within
hail. pointed back to the other side of
the island.
Back again | went-rejoiciug- praying
singing with joy and gratitude.
Lwas saved
jump into the sea, and was caught
up and taken into the boat and into the
steamer