The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1877-09-14

AAtlL @NNA oA4FAt'a AA@N HA~-Ns
ions, and if they shonld fail, there were
the cattle, which would afford Us sns
tenance for an indefinite length of
time: but old Jose was an exception
to our otherwise cheerful party.
"a seven days. storm senores, said
he, land probably this place will hold
all that is left of US; for you see, we
can't get on, even if il should hold up
now. God help us, and be merciful TO
my little ones!'
There was eight of Us, all told, and
We took turns endeavoring 20 keep the
mouth of the cavern clear-a difficult
and tedious operation; for no sooner
was hole cut through into daylight
than tho drifting banks would close il
up again; but by dint of steadv perse-
verance, we managed to maintain a
free ventilation.
Five days ran their course, and yet
the storm howled with undated fury.
Thus far we had suffered for nothing;
but now our supply of fnel was gone,
and our scant stock of grain for the
cattle which he had doled out by the
handful, was also fast disappearing.
Cifuentes saw that his herd, or at
least a part of it, must be sacrificed.
His men were called up, and fully one
half of the animals were slain. Their
carcases furnished us with both meat
and heat, and although the improvised
fuel was anything but odorous, the
heat was agreeable to our half stiffened
bodies.
'There are two hundred of them
left yet," said Cifuentes, as lie threw
on fresh quarter of beef to replenIsh
the fires; land when they are gone,
there's the sixty mules to help us out.
We are good for the whole winters
siege. What do you say, Jose? How
long will this thing lastl"
Remember, senior, that / told you
it was q seven days storm; and that,
just at the beginning of the senson,
means Imprisonment here for nearly a
month, and perhaps six"
The storm finally abated, and we
ventured out to see what was the pros
pect for an early start.
Even the faintest trace of our path
was entirely obliterated. The ravine,
hundreds of feet in depth, was filed
nearly to level with our retreat. II
was dreary outlook. Our only
chance for a renewal of our journey
lay in the hope that it might rain, and
the subsequen: frost form crust on
the surface sufficiently strong to hold
US. For this event to happen we
waited and watched forty eight long
dreary days, passing the interval in
endeayoring TO keep warm over the
| sickening, smouldering fire of bones
and flesh; but finally the much desired
rain storm set in, and we made all prep
arations for a departure.
Our remaining stock of cattle and
mules had been killed long since. and
We were compelled to leave behind us
everything except what was actually
necessary for our subsistence on the
road.
At the break of day We started for
our tramp. The sncw crust wes hard
ly strong to bear us. AT nearly every
step some one of the party wonld sink
in, which caused delay until he was
extricated
The first days travel only gave US
ten miles as accomplished; but Jose
bade us be of good cheer, as probably |
the next twenty-four hours would |
bring us to the hut of the Puno bridge |
keeper, where we could rest and re-
cruit.
A place was selected in which to pass
the night. The snow was to be ex
cavated sufficiently deep and wide to
afford shelter for us all. They applied |
themselves to the task, while / engag
ed in rounding off the top our of dug
out" They had nearly gained the
desired depth, when Cifuentes sank
from view; and then, the other grasp
ing at the yielding mass, which was
now sliding in on all sides, followed,
shouting for me to help them-to
throw a rope; but they were out of
sight in an instant of time, and | was
forced back from the edge to avoid
sharing the same fate. The small fun
mel shaped hole through which they
had disappeared was fast assuming
gigantic proportions. l turned and
ran, fearing at every step to be en-
quilted, but finally, l ventured back,
and listened for some signs of life.
Not sound could hear. As | could
do nothing myself, bethought Inc of
the bridgekeeper's hut, and though
worn out with my days tramp, determ-
ined to try and reach it, still hoping
against hope to rescue my compan-
ions.
How l reached there, or whether l |
gave a correct account of what had !
happened, knew not then. For six
weeks was / confiued to my bed, delir-
ious, and with a raging fever; but, as
l slowly recovered, my hospitable host
recounted how | had arrived there,
exhausted, but by signs had given him
to understand what had occurred.
He, with his three SOILS, went to the
place and succeeded in getting at the
dead bodies. He said we had chosen
for our encampment a spot directly
over a narrow chasm, and as the snow
was removed little by little, it finally
gave way, precipitatiug the party
down to the very bottom, and dashing
them against the craggy sides.
The late Presidential contest engen-
dered much "bad blood" which cool,
ness and judgment will correct. The
bad blood" induced by persistent
violation of Natures great but simple
laws requires not only GOODNESS and
but obedience to hygienic
measures and the proper use of DR..