The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-03-02
Amid the Arctic Ice.

full adventure at the Mluuenuor1 Slacler'
And now the word is forward! we pushed
on to explore the glacier. Alas at the very
moment when the column moves the snow
gives way under the feet of Zaninovich
the dogs Torossy and Jubinal and sled; all
sink together into horrible crevasse.
The forward rope was fastened to me.
I heard cry of agony, and am dragged
back by the sudden tightening of the
rope.
AS 1 turned, it seemed that the whole
line must be drawn down into the abyss.
As for myself, the great weight bore steadily
on me, I felt my foothold going, and feel
that I am lost; when by the merest chance
in the world, the sled caught thirty feet
down in an icy projection. Another mo-
ment and l was gone. There lay on my
face on the very edge of the creyasse, the
rope taut to nay waist.
The situation was fearful. / was the
only man in the party familiar with the
danger of glacier travel; but. unfortunately
| could not move hand or foot.
7 called down to Zaninovich that I wns
going to try and cut the cord. He i'm
plored me not to do it, as the sled would
surely go to the bottom, and he would sure
ly be dashed to pieces.
Moments passed, and I saw stars by the
thousand Then remembered that once
in the Alps I had well nigh fallen from
height of eight hundred feet with my guide,
and vet had escaped. The recollection gave
me little hope.
tOfel who was behind on the other side
of the crevasse, ran up; he crawled on his
belly to the very edge and looked down.
"'Zaninoyich is on snow spur" he cried,
s'al around is the black gulf; the dogs
are hanging motionless by the traces"
At my entreaty he threw me his knife
SO dexteriously that readily caught it.
Then 1 cut the rope round my waist.
1t was my only chance for life, and I had
to try it.
As the rope parted the sled gave shiver,
but did not fall.
'TThen I got up; and, taking off my
boots, leaped across the ereyAsse, which
, was about ten feet broad While doing sc
, got good view of Zaninevich and the
dogs. I'halloed to the sailor that would
run to Hohenlohe island and bring men
with ropes to get him out provided he
could stand the cold for four hours. l hearc
/ him answer: 'Fate, signor, fate pure
Do it, sir--do it anyhow" A second late,
Orel and I were off.
e Obi how we did run-roiiing down the
y glacier without thought Of the crevasse'
that might yawn beneath our very feet
! Bears start up, but we did not care, ane
Y vet WIS are unarmed, and have six mile
+ run to reach Cape Schrotter.
o One single thought possesses us; it il
to save Zaninovich, the bravest man IN tn
l. whole crew, save our dogs, save the slet
= that coutains half our precious resources
and the precious register containing in full
l. detail the marvellous discoveries we ha'
made.
:, In my eagerness to reach our goal and t
/. tighten me, threw off all clothing tina
+ impeded ne--furs, boots, gloves shawls-
e l threw them I'LL off, and kept on in m
e stocking feet IN snow foot deep. 500
left Orel far behind.
! When I got out Of the labyrinth of ice
$ bergs / saw the rocky summit of Cap
n Schrotter in the horizon, now clearly out
4 lined against the sky, and hidden in th
1t floating mist.
My success depends on great man
n chances.
" If snow furry comes on, the slight ira
n I am following will be swept away, an
1t Isle Hohenlohe will be beyond recognition
4 If bear confront me, am lost
II What afrightful aspect that white desc,
presents! Why had never seenit SO b.
u u fore The walls of ice seem gathering o
n all sides to crush me. Courage! far ahea
d of me I discover Klotz, who has left us
40 40 lime back. He comes out from behind
le hummock. I hail him with wild shrek
'r keep on calling until am almost upo
- him, bnt I cannot rouse him from b
j reverie.
IL At last be turns, sees me running out
- breath, half clothed, and yelling like
ID maniac. His bag slipped fr1m his shoulde
+. and he stood facing NE, stupefed. Whe
"a "a 1 told him what had happened, the sturd
IS mountaineer burst into tears. He ascribe
$ the whole misfortune to himself, and acte
"a "a so wildly that made him promise that
. would do nothing desperate. Then, havir
c.. gained breath again, wasof again towal
:. Cape Schrotter.
Head down. I galloped over the sno,