The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1870-04-07
CHAPTER III,

With dire starvation staring him in
the face, he bowed his head aud wept
like child. Starvation-that is dread
lul, even in thought Starvation-that
has in it more Of horror than a thousand
ether deaths lie could almost see it
silently approaching, and for a time
despair alone had possession of him.
Then his trust in the Supreme Being
returned, and he committed himself
unto His holy keeping. "Heavenly
Father" lac murmured from between
his parched and blackeued lips ait is
Thy hand that has sustained Inc so far
hast saved me from all danger. Thou
givest food to the young ravens. and
markest even the fall of the tiny spar
row. None but Thou caust hear or ielp
me. Hear my prayer! Save me. o
God Save me !"
Something of sweet consolation came
with the uttcrance Of the words, and he
laid down to sleep more TRANQUILITY than
he had done for many previous nights.
Yet, 1t was only to be awakened by
new fear. 1t needed no seer to tell him
that the fohn, or hot wind, was sweep.
ing over the glaciers and snow fields of
the high Alps aud that the rain was
falling in torrents and the enormous
block Of ice melting, as by the touch of
hrc. The cavern he had dug by infinite
labor, was almost breast deep with
water. and 1t was rushing in with all
the swlttness of a mountain torrent
instantly he was wet to the skin, and
stood almost paralyzed with terror
Then he breasted his way out into the
chasm, but it was only to return again
as quickly as possible. Never cataract
ragged more tercely than the surging
water there. Cutting little inches in
the ice wall, he climbed beyond the
reach OF the water, and trembling await
ed his fate. The waves rose rapidly,
higher and higher, he had climbed until
his head rested against the top of the
little cave-could go no further. And
yet the waters rolled upward around
him. They reached his waist-surged
higher TO his breast-crept up TO his
throat, aud despite all his efforts. began
to trickle into his mouth. in another
moment he would be strangled by them /;
his hold would be torn away and his
body dashed hither and thither against
the sharp points of the icc 30, God!
Save mel Save me y burst from his
lips in the terrible agony OF the instant
tho moment of time that lay between
him and death.
A noise like thunder shivering
crash -resounded through the chasm.
1t appeared as il the very foundations
OF the world were tottering beneath him.
Now, indeed, he felt that his end had
come. No! terror was changed to rap.
ture. The water rushed out of the cav.
ern with the most amazing velocity; he
could descend and stand upon the bot
tom without fear. How this had been
accomplished he was forced to wait un.
I'll morning., to determine; and with the
first beams, he saw great assure had
been opened, through which the i'm.
prisoned waters had found their way to
the valley below. This unlocked for
preservation again inspired him with
Notwithstanding more firm his
trust in God. Through that tunnel he
saw his way to freedom. 1t was small
to be sure, but he could enlarge it; and
he worked diligently, until his strength
utterly failed, The ibex was entirely
devoured. lie had split the bones aud
sucked out the marrow he had gnawed
them over aud over again TO appease
his hunger. For two days he had not
TASTED morsel of food. The hatehet
slipped from his hand when he eu.
deavored to strike blow, aud he was
forced to abandon the undertaking..
There was nothing left fer him now but
to die.
Another day passed and no help came.
He lay crouched in the corner wishing
that the end would come and that swift.
ly His eyes were already filmed and
his heart beat Iaintly. Then strange
noise aroused him. He looked aloft
and saw . chamois vainly striving u