The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1881-01-02
SNOW BOUND ON THE PLAINS.
Travellers Caught in the Fierccst OctO.
bcr storm Ever KNOWN in Nebraska.

We pitched our tents carelessly, intending
to take an early start next morning. But alas for
our expectations During the night strong wind
set in from the northwest, and about A.. NJ 1t b.
gan to snow None OF us could Judge well of weather
Indications In Nebraska, and our guide did not sus.
pect anything serious for the oldest inhabitant could
not recollect blizzard In October and 1t was now
only the 18th Of the month. The guide thought, and
the drivers believed that the storm would at i2
NJ, and We Of course, trusted TO their Judgment
hut, instead the storm grew hercer the snow fell
more rapidly, and the northwest gale Increased In
fury. Before night much snow had fallen that II 1t
had lain as II fell 1t would have been ut least foot
deep. but now II had been piled Into drifts so that
mules stood with their feet nearly as high rs the
wagon tops, and the stove and furniture In the cooks
tent We're completely hidden from view. The night
canvas tents In each OF which slept four men, with
Just blankets enough to keep them comfortable In
dlnary weather. hut now we must provide for the
guide, two drivers, and porter, who had usually
slept In the wagons and, as they were but slimly pro-
vided with clothing, we must share our stock with
them. There was but little sleep In the tent that
night for the cold intense, and the wind was so
terrible III Its effects that we feared every moment the
larger tent would fall though had strengthened 1t
by poles and cords In every conceivable way. with
morning light 1t seemed as II all the spirits OF the air
were let loose, and all day along the storm
roared with ever-increasing fury. The snow
| had beaten In that when we awoke we
found ourselves buried beneath 1t, and now we were
obliged to gather all our bedding Into the middle Of
the tent to keen 1t from being wet through. No man
could long endure the storm outside, and stood
hullleI together from morning TN night. stamping
our feet to keep from suffering. Even then could
not keep comfortable. For hours together stood
with our backs braced against the tent to keep 1t from
| giving way under the great weight of the snow and
the terrific force of the gale. know of no language
| which be used TO convey to any person inexpe-
rienced In such time any adequate conception OF tho
| fury of the storm. During the second day
ceeded In digging little stove out of the snOwdrit
and, setting 1t at the entrance of our tent, we
managed TO keep little fire through the rest OF the
| day and night. But our store of wood was very
small, and there was no more to be had within we
knew nothow many miles. The other tents company
had stove and no fire. During the second night OF
the storm 1t was impossible that all should sleep at
once, IL they could sleep despite the cold for
what with the stove one side and all provisions
brought In from the wagons on the other, there was
not room for all to lie down. Besides 1t was neces
sary 10 keep the fire gong lest we might all perish
together. So we stood bending over the stove all
night, two at time while the others tried to Sleep
guide and drivers declared that the horses and mules
were likely to perish. They were pitiful sight
Indeed. Two of them had no blankets, and the
others were little better off, At times 1t was difficult
to conceive that the creatures before horses,
81 literally covered were they with coating of ice.
After two days and nights the storm ceased.
we were, and we doubted II the guide had def
mite knowledge than Every man desperate.
Some declared 1t dangerous to attempt to move
through the snow, and that only safe course was
to remain and In case of necessity, use the wagons
for fuel and the horses for food Others declared theIi
purpose to move at all hazards, and without delay
| Finally we determined to move. We threw away al
luggage that could be dispensed with. and In grin
silence started in the direction which we thought
would bring us to the nearest hut. 1t was dinicu
travelling through the drfted and it bItterl,
cold. But all day long we pushed on, never stopping
to feed horse, breaking through the drifts with on
ponies that the teams could follow, till about r.
NJ, when came In sight of haystacks, In til,
vicinity of which we knew there must be ranch
mans hut. Inever happier set of thar
were those when 1t became certain that what
haystacks, and not the terrible sand hills whcl
had so often deceived us during the day. Grave men,
merchants Of Worcheser swung their hats aloft ant
shouted for Joy. 1t had been march for life.-
II'OTceo{er SDU