The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1870-04-07
q Ghrilling Aarratire.
UNDER THE ICE,
CHAPTER I

There was no braver guide, or more
skilll'ul hunter, that ever sat foot upon
the Mctterhorn, or crawled over the
dangerous glaciers OF Monte Rosa, than
Uric Peterson. lie was a man of i'm.
meuse strength and great daring and
had often tracked the wilderness OF snow
when those who followed the sam. call.
ing willingly remained in their cottages
in the well protected villages. He laugh.
ed at his companions, when they talked
Of danger aud made light of the fears
of his good wife, when she tremblcd at
the bowling Of the fierce winds, or the
avalanche Of snow, that now aud then
swept down with irresistible force upon
the little chalets. With well spiked
shoes, a stout alpinstock, confidence in
himself, and firm and ferveut trust in
God, he avowed that man was as safe
upon the topmost cliffs of the cloud
piercing Matterhorn as in tho broJk
threaded valley Of fTourmauches. But
the timid heart of womanhood could
not look upon the matter in the same
light, although her trust ia the good
Lord was equally strong, and SO, when
she saw him take down his trusty rife.
powder horn, aud heavily shod iron
staff, enc morning, she clung to him and
begged him net to so upon the noun.
taius, There is every sign of a Storm"
she said "You know how terrible they
are We have food enough in the cot.
tagc. Do stay ut home with the little
ones"
That would |, wife," vas the reply.
" it | had not seen an ibex as l was
coming home, yesterday evening. He
was a stout old fellow with huge horns
and lancied he was almost laughing at
me as | erept around the eiiffupon which
he was standing"
But, Uric, think of the storm that
is certainly coming"
/ have been in many an one, and
care nothing for them. love the free
whistling OF the wind upon the noun.
tain tops, and the whirling Of the feath.
cry snow. So, good wife get me some,
thing to cat. | must be off before the
day dawns,"
With heavy sigh the woman did as
he had requested and with his fond
kiss still fingered upon her lips, she
saw him climb the mountain side, until
turn in the path hid him from her
view. Then she sunk upon her knees,
by the bedside of her still slumbering
children and committed him into the
keeping of that God who had thus far
preserved him in the midst of every
danger. Meantime Uric hastcned on.
wards with light foot. 1t was still
dark in the valley but far above him
he could see the white peaks glittering
IN the dim light of the morning, and
the fast paling stars. Higher and high.
er he climcd; and soon the sun arose,
shedding its rays of rosy gold upon the
icy piles, and making them fash as if
guided by myriad diamonds. To a
stranger it would have been 4 dazzling
sight; to the brave hunter, it had lost
something of its charm by familiarity,
and he pressed onward. The road grew
more rough and difficult. lie was
obliged to pick his way, to clalner up
steep crags but at last he reached the
edge of large glacier. He sat down
and rested for little time, satisfied his
hunger, examined his shoes and the
point OF his alpiustock, and again set
bravely forth, leaping the yawning
cbasms, and guarding against the trcach-
erous cracks.
A wall of polished ice arose before
him, and he knew that he would have
to scale it before he could get within
shot OF the coveted game. With great
diihculty it was accomplished and
finding the tracks ofthe ibcx, he follow
ed them, until suddenly turning rag.
ged point, he found himself within easy
shot, and in instant the report of his
rifle had awakened the echoes of the
mountain, With the "thudv of the
bullet, the boast sprang forward but
its tail was dropped, its head hanging
heavily down, lis gait slow, aud step
uncertain, He knew that the whizzlinp
lead had reached its mark that the
animal would soon die; and he paused
to reload his rife before he followed
him.
I" ! will surprise my good Eife," he
thought, "by returning sooner thee she