Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-12-06
BOOT SDLES AND BONES.
Ons CT tho Two Survivors OF he LOng's
Eoat's Crew Tells Of the Struggle
aAaln Il

l:Oat's Crew Tells of the Struggle
To Sustain Life.
Before the Jeanette board Seaman Min
der,nan continued his narrative OF the De
Long and his party south, beginning with
the morning of the eth Of October, 1881.
De Long and witness were ahead on the
second day, and they saw the rest Of the
company were sitting down. After short
rest they started again, but had to stop
soon. Witness saw that the captain was
sspretty we'll played" and offered to carry
his load; but the captain declined, saying
that he was all right. After struggling
along awhile tho captain and the doctor
again fell behind. Witness again asked
the captain to allow him to carry his bum
die, but he said ''take the rest Of the
men and go ahead until you find cahp-
ing place, and will catch up The cap
tain and doctor remained together and the
rest went on to the river bank. Witness
picked out the best place that could be
found, and all started to gather driftwood.
By tho time small fire was started the
captain and doctor arrived.
The next morning October 81 the wind
had moderated and the weather was quite
clear. They held prayers and the captain
called witness aside and said Ninder.
man, think you will have to 60 only
about twelve miles to reach settlement,
and l think you and Noros can make it in
three or four days." Witness said he had
but little hopes of finding assistance, and
the captain replied : Ninderman, do the
best you can. If you find assistance como
| back as 5000 as you can, and if you dcil't
you will he as we'll off as We will be-" Tho
| captain further said that thcy Two riust
| keep on the west side OF the river and not
| to wade. NorOs was then called aside and
Informed that be was TO 60 with witness,
and should obey his orders. They VIC 40
then supplied with rife, forty rounds Of
ammunition and three ounces of alcohol.
When they were ready they shook hands
with everybody and started up the river,
the party giving three cheers as they sep
arated from them.
| Before starting The captain gave witness
copy of the chart ho had, and said there
was only one more river to cross before
reaching Komark Surk. They travelled
westward along the river bank until a
place was found where they could cross.
Shortly after noon witness shot ptarmi-
gan, which they ate for dinner. During
the morning they looked bacl, often to see
if their comrades were following, but
couid SEQ nothing of them it was the
captains intention to follow in their foot
steps.
They had boot sole, which they
soaked and burned and ate with the tea.
They made bags with their blankets ard
kept close to the fire rs possible.
On the morning of the 10th they had q
little willow tea and another boot sole,
after which they started to the westward.
| Ahont O'clock thew hanIcd around tr
the southwest. 1t commenced to blow
and the snow drifted SO that they could
scarcely see fifty yards. Now and then il
would let up little, and they took thei'
bearings for point Of land. They kept
going from one point to another, being
compelled to wade a number O! small
rivers. This they kept Up till night, whel
they attempted to build fire, but tht
wind was too high, and they had to worl
along until they found large snowdrift
They dug a hole in the drift with
sheath knife, and it must have been mid
. night before the hole was big enough t.
hold both. They crawlea in and closet
, the hole behind them to keep the snow
from drifting in, and, wrapping thcmselv
in tho blankets, remained during th
night. They got no sleep, as both wer
wet up to their waists, and had to kee]
knocking their feet together to keep iron
freezing.
Their experience during the succce,..:.n;
days, up to the 18th, differed little from
that already narrated. They found an,
ate two rotten fish and causLt leming.
The court adjourned befor: Nindernal
had completed his story o: thc occurrcnc
Of the 18th.