The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1882-07-05
Dead Among the WiIds ct Siberia!
Extracts from De Longs
Noto-Oookg

ing fire was soon drying land burning
their clothes, while the cold winds att
into their backs. Nothing was left &c
eat but their dog, which was killed and
dressed and q stew Ilade OF such part!
a. could not be cured. All partook o
the stew except De Long and the doc
tor. Alexy was sent Of to examin
what they thought was a hut. ana came
back at night with favorable report
1t was decided 10 wait till morning be
fore leaving. 1t was then below zero
A watch was set to Keep the fire going
and all huddled around it. Thu:
the third night withou, sleep was pass,
ed. If A'exy had not wrapped his seal
skin around De Long and kept hin
warm 10y the heat Of his body he lDt
Long thinks he would nave persisted.
As it was, he steamed and shivercd aud
shook. In the morning Erickson wa'
unconscious and had to tie lashed to the
sled. At 8 a. M. the party reached
hut large enough to hold them, and for
the first time since Saturday they man.
aged to get warm Erickson was very
low. and prayers were read for him be-
fore the others sought rest. At 10 a. m.
all txcept Alexy lay down to resi-. He
went OH " Iuut. - a. hoOh Ill
wet. having fallen into the river. At 6
q. m. they reused up and had a pound
of dog-ineat for each person ana a cup
of tea, the days allowance, but they were
20 Sratful that they were not exp Dsed
to the terrible gale which vas raging at
the time that they did Lot mind short
ratiOnS.
On Wednesday tea and dog-meat for
breakfast.
Alexv again went on hunting, but
came back without anything. On Thurs
day had a cup of third hand tea with
half an ounce of alcOhol. in it. Alexy
was again sent out to hunt and Erickson
died while he was gone. Alexy return
ed empty handed. The notes at this
point say. What in Gods name is
going to become oi us? Fourteen pounds
Of dog-meat left and twenty five miles to
a possible settlement" They cou q not
dig a grave for Erickson, as the ground
was frozen too hard. and they had moth
ing to dig with. 50 they sewed his body
up 10 the flaps of the tent, covered him
with their flag and cast him into the
river Th re ~volleys from their rifles
were fired over him.
OtuCl VI OSioOSl III L n {.
One hundred and seventeenth day,
breakfast consisted of the last half pound
of deg meat, AMI tea. The last grain of
tea was put in the kettle and we are nov
about to take a journey Of twenty-five
miles with some old tea-leaves and two
quarts of alcohol. However, trust in
GGG and | believe that he tho has fed
thus far will not su fer US to die Of want
now.'
The party left a record in the hut
which was found by Melville as already
reported. They got under way at $50
D. ~. and proceeded until H.. 20, by
which time they had made about three
miles and were all pretty we'll done up.
They had half an ounce of alcohol in 4
pot of tea for dinner; went ahead and
struck what appeared to be the main
river again. Here four Of the party
broke through the ice in trying to cross
and fearing bite a fire was built.
Alexy was sent off to look for food, be-
ing directed not to 60 far nor stay long.
He came back at 5 80 with one ptarmi
gan, of which soup was maJe, and with
half an ounce of alcohol made their sup
per.
Saturday, October s, the notes cav
: Called all hands At $50; breakfast,
half ounce of alcohol and a pint Of hot
water. Alcohol proves Of great advan-
taee; keeps off craving for food, prevent
ing craving at stomache, and keeps up
the strength Of the men, who are given
three ounces s dsy. Went ahead until
10. so, and after five miles struck big
river again have to turn back; halt at
); only made advance of one mile. Hard
luck snow, S. S. f. wind, cold camp.
But little wood and half ounce OF alco
hol."
Sunday, 9th.-All hands up at 4 80.
One-half ounce alcohol. Read divine
service. SEN Ninderman and Noros
ahead for relief. They started at I.
Cheered them. Under way at 8. Cross
ed creek broke through ice; all wet up
to knees; dried clothing, and under way
again at 10 30. At | struck liver bark.
Halt for dinntr-half ounce alcohol.
Alexy shot three ptarmigans. Made
soup. We are following Ninderman's
track, although he is long since out Of
Ice moving rapidly in the river
to northwaid. Halt at 4 40 on coming
wood. Found caDoe. Lay our heads
in it and go to sleep.
Monday. October IO.-Last one half
ounce alcohol at $50. At so sent
Alexy to look for ptarmigan. Ate deer
foot tips. Under way at s. In
crossing creek three got wet. Built fire
and dried our. Ahead again till II.
Used up. Built a 6,e and made a drink
cut of the tea-leaves and from the afco-
hol bottle. On again at noon. Very
hard going. Ptarmigan tracks plenti-
full. At 3 halted. Used up. Crawled
INTO 4 hole in the bank. A'exy in quest
Of game. Nothing for supper excep; a
of glyccrine. All hands weak
feeble but cheerful. God help MS.
Tuesday, 1lth. Unable to move. No
anne. One spoonful of gl,cerine and
lot wafer for food. No more wood in
'Hr vicinity.
Wednesday. l5.h.-Breakfast, last
spoonful of glycerine and hot water.
or d%inne', a couple of handfuils of
Alctic willow in Il pot of water and
frank the INFUSION. Everybody getting
and weaker. Hardly able to get
Southwest gale, snow.
Thursday, 18th Willow tea No
from Nindrrman. We are in the
of God, and unless he relents we
ire lost. We cannot move against the
Wind, and staying here means starvation.
Afternoon, went ahead for a mile. After
rossing another river, or a bend of the
zig river, missed Lee. Went down in a
Iole IN the bank and camped. Sent ]
Jack for Lee. He had l.in down and
,as waiting to die. All united in say {
np Lords PRAYER and Creed After {