The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-02


excels that seen IN the north. The light, as 1t
| of snow and ice is like strip OF FURNISHED silver.
August is midwinter, and ct that time the aurora
one time, after a heavy snow, before we could
rouse ourselves sufficiently to dig our way out.
was not as may be imagined, either pleasant or
! safe work, yet we were compelled to take long
trips through the snow up to our waists In search
OF penguin 1t was death to get lost, yet we fre-
| quentIy went eight TO ten miles from the hut which
was harder work than twenty miles OF ordinary
OF pike by attaching spike to the end OF piece
OF board With these and sharp-peinted stakes we
scaled the great mountains OF ice. There were
hills and valleys-all untrodden snow l was
troubled by the recollection OF having read In
book on whaling that the straits between these
islands had once been frozen up for sixteen years
at a time. Had this occurred we would have been
left from sixty 10 eighty miles inland and could not
possibly have hoped ever 10 have crossed the great
barren wastes of snow and ice to the coast. 1t Ia
not remarkable that two OF my comrades after
wards became crazed with anxiety.
We remained at that place from about May Is to
about September 20, 1871. The provisions then be-
10 that aG health our
troubles soon began in earnest, however. We
launched our boat on the day indicated above to
can0 The ice mad moved somewhat to the east
ward, In the direction OF the Orkney Islands, and
1t was yet exceedingly cold, although Winter
breaks up about the latter part OF October As 1t
was we got last In the Ice noe near Morality Bay,
and were compelled TO desert the boat
TO SAVE OUR LIVES.
We got on the ice flow and only succeeded in reach
ing the shore by jumping from cake to cake. We
lost everything In the boat-compass. finder box
and provisions. We were in a terrible position.
Nearly all got their feet frozen. We slept that
and in the morning started back on loot to reach
II possible the old lodge at Potter's Cove. The
snow was up TO our waists and IL required almost
superhuman love or life to prevent US from lying
down. Charles Gardner OF North Stonington.
nIa.tN
came sleepy. 1t was impossible 10 rouse HIM, and,
unable TO carry him, we were forced, much against
taro the Portncuese. walked almost to Penruin
Point, within about eight miles OF the hut. when he
gave up from fatigue and laid down, becoming quite
stir almos. instantly
THUS TwO OF OUR PARTY DIED.
The remaining four of us, Townsend, Hess, Pierce
other succeeded in reaching tie hut, almost dead
with fatigue, cold and hunger Hess and Pierce's
feet Mere irgatuy badly indeed that
very large. Being the only one who was able to
walk any distance the labor OF providing for the
day In search Of penguin eggs. Townsend was
able to hobble about the hut and did every thing
he could, poor fellow, but Hess and Pierce were
in terrible agony and the smell II ON their feet was
sickening. was taken sick one day from walking
nearly ten miles through the snow after eggs and
the horror OF that night when the prospect OF
starvation stared us In the face, is beyond the
power OF description. My illness was, however,
only temporary, and / was on my feet the next
day.
WAS GETTING so WEAK AND EVACUATED
that could not chase penguin. One day Towns.
two pieces OF board, and after fighting the animal
for an hour succeeded in killing him. The flesh OF
this animal recuperated US a great DEAL as we had
been living solely on penguin flesh, which contains
very little nutrition. The weather was now getting
1t was in the beginning OF October Pierce and Hess
began to lose their minds. The terrible despond-
ency which had filled our hearts for more than 1--WE
months had produced utter mental prostration.
have wondered hundred times that did not be-
come insane. The thermometer had during the
Winter registered iorty-three degrees below zero.
Our faces hal been entirely enveloped in furs, yet
one OF our number had had his nose frozen.
THE LAST SEPARATION.
The snow having began to melt, an old boat
which had been left by lie schooner Francis Allen
was discovered. Thinking that some provisions
had been left by Captain Gilderdae at South Beach
Pierce and Hess who had only partially recovered.
and Townsend, determined TO take this boat ana
oars or anything except three pieces OF boards
made into paddles. | demonstrated with Towns
end about going, and he said that they might as
well die at south Beach or on the way as to stay
there and be the cause of starving me. He said
that they were burden to me, and that might
be able to live longer II they were to go away.
They hoped to find medicine chest, as well as pro-
visions, for they argued that Captain Gderdale
would not have deserted them without leaving
some thing, at least, to keep soul and body toge
tner The distance across to south Beach Lily
water was filed with floating ice.
STILL HAD HOPE
that some vessels would arrive In November. and
was resolved to stay where was. demonstrated,
therefore. against the separation and tried to
courage them all 10 stay, but they were determined
TO go. They started among the ice and were soon
lost to sight. never saw them again. After their
departure ] remained in the hut all alone for
about forty days. 1t was now the light sea-
son again. was awakened from sound sleep on
the Odd OF November. 1872 by the voices OF men. l
was very weak and had subsisted Tor several days
upon the remnants OF my stock of provisions.
was so weak that did not realize the situation
until heard man cry out TO some one behind him:
THERE Is SKELETON IN THIS HUTN'
IL was like help to a drowning man. was on
my feet in an instant. forgot my weakness The
man who found me was named Smith, and be-
longed to the bark Nile, Of New London. John
Glass second mate or the vessel, then entered the
hut, and, recognizing me, exclaimed, "Why, King,
are you all that Is left ~ replied that was and
related all the particulars which | have given
above. At this moment Captain John Williams en-
tered and, instead OF asking after me or my poor
dead comrades, addressed me i'll these words:-
.Where in hi did you come from ? Where is that
thermometer and all the skins Go aboard the
ship with Mr.. church." went on board the Nile
and remained in the Nile until she reached Per-
nambuco, where | found Joseph A. Striker, the
United states Consul. He treated me very kindly,
furnished me money and took my statement, which
he forwarded to Washington. | left there IN the
schooner Lizzie p. simmons, Captain Jerry Potts,
and arrived at New York the latter part Of last
April. That Is all OF my story.