Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-07-07

the frozen ground thawing under everybody
kept them damp aud wet and robbed them of
much sleep. Southwest gale continues
Modification has set in in Erickscn's leg aul
he ia sinking. Amputalion would be of no
use, as he would probably die under the
operation. lie is partly conscious. At
twelve Alexia came back, having seen no.
thing. lie crossed the river this time, but
unable longer to face the cold gale was
obliged TO return. | am of opinion we are on
Ttary Island, and about twenty-five miles
from Ku Mark Sinka, which take to be Il
settlement. This is last hope for us. So
CASTER has long since faded away. The hut
in which we are is quite new and clearly not
the Astronomical station made on my
chart. In fact, the hut is no, finished, hav-
ing no door and no porch. 1t may be intend
ed for summer hut, though the numerous
fox traps would lead me to suppose that ii
would occasionally be visited at other times.
Upon this last chance, and another sun, rest
all our hopes of escape, for can sec nothing
more to be done. As soon rs the gale abat,s
| shall send Nindcrmam and another man to
make forced march to ku Mark Sinka for
relief. AT p. M served out half pound d;
dog meat and second hand tea and then went
to sleep.
Thursday, Oct. Cloth day.-Caled all
hands at 1880. Had II cup of third-hand tea,
with half an ounce Of alcohol in it,. Every
body very weak. Gale modcrating some
what. Sent Alexia out to hunt. Shall start
Nndermaun and Noros at noon to make the
forced march TO Ku Mark Sinka. AT $40
our messlnatc, Erickson, departed this
life. Addressed a few words OF cheer and
comfort to the men. AleXia came back
empty -handed-too much drifting snow.
What in Gods name is going to become Of
us? Fourteen pounds of dog meat left and
twenty five miles to a possible settlement.
AS to burying Erickson, | can not dig grave
for the ground is frozen and We have nothing
to dig with. There is nothing to do but bury
him in the river. Sewed him up in
the flaps of the tent and covered
him with my flag. Got ten men ready
and with half an ounce of alcohol we will try
to make out to bury HIM, but we are all 50
weak do not see how we are going to
travel. AT 1910 read the burial service and
carried our departed shipmate to the river,
where II hole having been cut in the ice he
was buried, three volleys from our Rcming-
tons being fired over him as funeral honor.
a board was prepared with this cut on it
"In memory of II. II. Erickson, October 6,
1881. L. $. 5. Jcanncttc.' And this will be
stuck in the river bank almost over his grave.
His clothing was divided up among his
messmates. Iverson has his Bible and a
| LUCK Vi MS nulI. supper Ut HNC u. III, ilull
a pound of dog meat and tea.
Friday, Oct. :, 117th day.--Breakiast con.
sistng Of our last half pound,of dog meat and
tea. Our last grain of tea was put in the
kettle this morning, and we are now about
to undertake our journey Of twenty-five
miles with some old tea leaves and two
quarts Of alcohol. However trust in God,
and believe that lie who has fed us thus
far will not suffer us to die of want now.
Commenced preparation for departure at ten
minutes past seven. One Winchester rifle
being ont of order, is, with 1Gl rounds OF
ammunition, left behind. We have with us
two Remingtons and 243 rounds of ammuni-
ton.
Under way by $3.50 and proceeded until
11:20, by which time we had made abou,
three miles. Here we were all pretty well
done up and seemed to be wandering in a
labyrinth. ! halted the party for dinner
one ounce of alcohol in Il pot of tea. Then
went ahead and soon struck what seemed
like the main river again. Here four of us
broke through the ice in trying to cross, and,
fearing frost bite, | had fire built on the
west bank to dry us up. Sent AeXia oil
meanwhile to look for food, directing him no,
to go too far or to stay long. Mountains in
sight to southwark. At $50 AlcXia return
cd with one ptarmigan, of which we made
soup, and with half an ounce OF alcohol had
our supper. Then crawlcd under our blank
cts for a Sleep Light west breeze, full
moon, starlight not very cold. Alexa saw
the river a mile wide with no ice in it.
Saturday, Oct. S-11Sth day.-Called al
hands at half-past five. Breakfast ont
ounce of alcohol in pint Of hot water.
Doctors Note.-Alcohol proves of great
advantage. Keeps off craving for food, pre-
venting gnawing at stomach, and has kept W
the strength of the men. as given-.hret
ounces per day, as estimated, and in accord
ance with DR.. Ambler's experiments.
Went ahead until half-past ten. Ont
ounce alcohol. IIalf-past six to haf-past ten
five miles struck Big River at 1l3O. Aheat
again. Snow banks. Met small river have
TO turn back. Halt at five; only made ad
vance one mile more. Hard luck. Snow
South southeast wind, cold. Camp. But lit
tie wood. Half an ounce of alcohol.
Sunday, October 9-110th day.-All hand,
at 4:30. One ounce of alcohol. Read di
vine service. Send Nindermann and Moro
ahead for relief. They carry their blankets
one rifle, forty rounds of ammunition ant
two ounces of alcohol. Orders to keep the
west bank of river until they reach a settle
mcnt. They started at seven. Cheerct
them. Under way at eight. Crossed TIT
creek, Broke through the ice. All wet W
to the knees. Stopped and built fires. Driet
clothes Under way again at 1880. Lee
breaking down. AT one struck river bank
Halt for dinner one ounce alcohol. Alexis
shot three ptarmigan. Made soup. We ar
following Nindermanns track, although b
is long since out of sight. Under way a
$3.50. High bluff. Ice moving rapidly L
northward in the river. Halt at 4;40 on com
ing to wood. Find canalboat. Lay on
heads in it and go to sleep. Half ounce al
cohol. Supper
Monday, October 10-120lh day Las
half ounce of alcohol at $50. AT G:3O sen
, AleXia off to look for ptarmigan. Eat dec
skin scraps. Yesterday morning ate m
e deer skin foot nps. Light southeast wind
{ Air not very cold Under way at eight
1 In crossing creek three of us got wet. Bui
4 fire and dried out. Ahead again until eleven
| used up. Built fire; made drink out of tn
s tea leaves from alcohol bottle. On agai
| noon. Fresh southwest wind. Drittin
\ snow, Very hard going. Lee begging
4 be left. Some little beach and then Ion
d stretches of high bank. Ptarmigan track
a plentiful. Following Nindermann's track
4 At three halted, used up. Cnwlcd into
c hole in the bank. Collected wood and bu
n a fire. Alexia away in quest Of game. NJ
d thing for supper except spoonful OF q,
q cerlnt. All hands weak and feeble, b,
a cheerful. God help us
r Tuesday, October 11-12lst day-Soutl
west gale with snow. Unable to move. n
It game. Teaspoonful of glycerine and h,
G water for food. No more wood in our v
g cinity.
4 Wednesday, October 12-122d day-Breal
IS fast last spoonful of glyccrine and hot WI
Is ter. For dinner, we had couple of hand.
k full of Arctic willow in n pot of hot waite
}. and drank the infusion. Everybody gettin
|. weaker and weaker. Hardly strength to 6
If flrewood. Southwest gale, with snow.
n Thursday, Oct. 13-1s3d day.-Willo
n tea. Strong southwest winds No new
d from Nindermann. We are in the han'
O of God, and unless He relents are lost. "
/, can not move against the wind, and stayiI