Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1883-08-31
AMID THE ARCTIC ICE.


AMID THE ARCTIC ICE.
Lieutenant Payer, Of the Tegett-
hoff expedition, describes most graph
ically. fearful adventure at the Mid
dendorf glacier.
And now the word is forward! we
pushed on to explore the glacier.
Alas. At the very moment when the
column moves the snow gives way
under the feet of Zaninovich, the
dogs Torossy and Jubinal and sled;
all sink together in a horrible ere
vase.
The forward rope was fastened to
me- l heard cry of agony. and am
dragged back by sudden tightening
of the rope.
As turned. it seemed that the
whole line must be drawn down into
the abyss. As for myself, the great
weight bore steadily upon me, felt
my foothold going, and l feel that
l am lost; when, by the merest chance
in the world, the sled caught thirty
feet down in an icy projection.
Another moment and l was gone
There l lay on my face on the very
edge Of the crevasse, the rope teut
to my waist.
The situation was fearful. l was
the only man in the party familiar
with the danger Of glacier travel;
but, unfortunately, could not move
hand or foot.
l called down to Zaninovich that l
was going to try and cut the cord.
He implored me not to do it, as the
sled would surely go to the bottom,
and he would surely be dashed to
pieces.
Moments passed and l saw stars by
the thousand. Then l remembered
that once in the Alps ! had well-nigh
fallen from a heig of eight hun
dred feet with my guide, and yet had
escaped. The recollection gave me
little hope.
Orel, who was behind on the other
side of the crevasse, ran up; he
crawled on his belly to the very edge
and looked down. "Zaninovich is on
a ow-spur," he cried, "all around is
the black gulf; the dogs are hanging
motionlessly by the traces"
At my entreaty he threw me his
knife so dexterously that I readily
caught it.
Then cut the rope around my
waist. 1t was my only chance for
life, and I had to try it.
As the rope parted the sled gave a
SILVER, but did not fall.
Then I got up; and, taking off my
boots, I leaped across the crevasse,
which was about ten feet broad.
While doing SO I got a good view of
Zaninovich and the dogs. / halloed
to the sailor that I would run to
Hohenlohe island and bring men
with ropes to get him out, provided
he could stand the cold for four
hours. heard him answer: "Fate,
signor, fate pure. Do it, sir-do it
anyhow" A second later Urel and I
we're Off
Oh! how we did run-rolling down
the glacier without thought of the
crevasses that might yawn beneath
our very feet. Bears start up, but
we did not care. and yet we were un-
armed, and have six miles to run to
reach Cape Schroeder.
One single thought possesses us:
it is to save Zaninovich, the bravest
man in the whole crew; save our dogs,
save the sled that contains half our
precious resources, and the precious
register containing in full detail the
marvellous discoveries We had made.
In my eagerness to reach our goal
and to tighten me, I throw off all
clothing that impeded me and-furs,
boots, gloves, shawls-I threw them
all of, and kept on in my stocking
feet in snow foot deep. 1 soon left
Orel far behind.
When 1 got out of the labyrinth of
icebergs I saw the rocky summit of
Cape Schroeder in the horizon, now
clearly outlined against the sky, and
hidden in the floating mist.
My success depends on great
many chances.
If q snow-furry comes on, the
slight trail I am following will be
swept away, and Isle Hohenlohe will
be beyond recognition. If bear
confronts me, / am lost.
What frightful aspect that white
desert presents! Why had I never
seen it 80 before? The walls of ice
seem gathering on all sides to crush
ne. Courage! far ahead of me I dis,
cover Klotz, who has left us to limp
ack. He comes from behind hum
mock. l hail him with wild shrek
Il keep on calling until I am almost
upon him, but ! cannot rouse him
from his reverie.
At last he turns, sees Inc running
out of breath, half clothed, and yell
ing like a maniac. His bag slipped
from his shoulder, and he stood facing
me, stupeied. When l told him
what had happened, the sturdy noun
taineer burst into tears. He ascribed
the whole misfortune to himself, and
acted so wildly that 1 made him
promise he would do nothing des-
perate. Then, having gained breath
again. l was of again toward Cape
Schrutter.
Head down, l galloped over the
snow, counting my steps. When,
some moments later, l raised my
eyes, thinking that l must be near
my goal. l could see only the same
dark spot on the horizon.
At last, the distance is passed. l
see the tent. They hail me! all in
alarm they rush out to meet me.
told my story briefly.
A dead silense There was no
time for ordinations oven. The
heavy rope is soon got from the large
sled. The heaviest tent pole is taken
mp. A handful OF snow quenches
my burning thirst, and we all start
Haller, Sussich, Lukinovich and my
self.