Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1879-03-27
Misfellantons. g
An Adventure on An Iceberg
BY DIR. ISAAC l. HArE.

Peter Alswig was the government cooper
In the little Danish colony of Upernavik.
on the west coast of north Greenland. He
had gone thither when 4 young man, in-
tending 10 remain only q short time, but he
married there during the very first year.
and with a family growing up about him, It
was not strange that he became perms-
nent colonist.
His first born was a son. and he named
him Carl Emile. Young Carl grew up TO
Ice a tall, bright-eyed active fellow. aud
bleak and desolaie as was his native Cper-
navik. he loved IL dearly. Had he wished
hc GOULD have gone TO his fathers old home
In Denmark. where Tor q youth OF BIS age
there were many advantages that wild
Greenland colony does not possess; bu,
Carl cared for none OF them. he preferred
the perfect freedom of his life. the CHEEKY
shop where he worked by his fathers side,
aud the excitement ofthe seal-huut. Be
sides there was Nicholina NicholIna WAS
the daughter of the Governors assistant,
and II wss said that 10 all that country
round about, there was no one like her; no
sirl so pretty, no girl so kind, so generous
or 80 good. Carl would have made sorry
work of had he tried 10 hide his feelings
toward Nicholina: as IL was. they seemed
To be known 10 everybody but Nicholua
herself. When he would faiu talk serious
ly. her merry laughter forbade il; she
would never listen TO him. She seemed
never 10 think OF marriage. Some people
said she was ZOO proud. and that she
thought there was nobody good enough for
her. She was. however, never backward
In promoting plans for general pleasure.
In all dances and festivals she took lead
Ing part, and possessing q nne taste and
great skill In ueedle-work. she was slwsys
conspicuous on such occasions, for her
cunningly embroidered dress OF cloth and
seal-skin. trimmed with tender eider-dowu.
aud her jacket sparkling with beads.
So 1t came about that although Carl was
always happy he was never quite content
ed. But he was a brave, manly fellow.
who was not ashamed Of his own thoughts,
aud be worked blithely At barrels and tubs,
with no fears tor the future.
Perhsp. all this made Carl care less for
public festivals and dances than the other
young fellows. At any rate. although the
Spring Festival wa. At hand, he went OF
TO hunt seals with his father.
Seal hunting In the spring Is great
event In Greenland life. There Is one kind
Of seal that cuts holes in the ice with It's
sharp claws, and when the sun shines the
ANIMALS come out of the water TO sleep.
While thus sleeping they are approached
by the hunters, who conceal themselves
behind white screens attached TO little sleds
which they push noiselessly over the Ice.
Peter and Carl decided that they would
60 20 Peverick, . little rocky uninhabited
island about twenty-five miles to the north
ward of Upernavik. The ice. as seen from
the hill behind the village, was firm all the
way TO the island; but. outside, It bad been
already . good deal broken up and drited
of by recent gales.
Not much time was needed for prepara-
ton. They would take the whole family
consisting OF two boys and two girls, be-
side Carl Emile and their mother, and they
would stay two weeks. Peter took three
OF the children and the family tent on his
sledge, while Carl took his mother and all
the camp fixtures. Each sledge was drawn
by nine strong dogs, and the journey was
quickly made. The tent was pitched on a
level spot overlooking the sea, and, after q
hearty supper and good nights rest the
two hunters harnessed their dogs to their
sleds, and drove at lively pace far out
upon the frozen sea.
Amer some time, they discovered num-
Der of seals lying beside their holes, and
the dogs were quickly made fast to q stake
driven in the snow drift, and each hunter
was soon behind his white screen and
sleds, stealing cautiously upon the game.
But though they moved very slowly for half
an hour. the seals somehow became fright
ened and plunged into the water before
Peter and Carl got within shooting distance
from them.
This was al unlucky failure, especially
as no more seals were to be seen in any di.
rection. A small iceberg in the distance.
however. seemed TO offer better spot from
which to survey the Ice field. and having
drive to il, the two hunters proceeded tO
climb it. They looked out over the great
waste, but few seals that they perceived
far Od did not tempt them. and as strong
wind had suddenly sprung up aud storm
was threatening. they felt that there would
be DO luck on that day and they might AS
wei! go back to the camp Ut Peverick.
When they had descended the seaward
side OF the iceberg. they paused little
while. attrscted by On immense fight OF
sea-gulIs that came sailing about the ice
bergs. uttering wild, discerdsnt screams.
While watching the birds. they we're start.
led by a noise sudden and APPALLING As if I
ire,B. ndOu. discharge Oi artillery. A huge
iceberg. not half mile distant, had split
iu two. and a. IL fell apart, il set in motion
great waves which threatened to shattei
the ice ia all directions Already, as they
gszed b-wildered, "a long crack spread will
| loud splitting noise between them and the
1 shore.
Not . moment WAS to be lost! The>dOg'i
heads were turned toward Peverick. the
long laahes Whisfled In the air. and aWay