Cheyenne transporter. [volume] (Darlington, Indian Terr.) 1879-1886, 1884-08-30
During November the thermometer

/
froze at-37.9 degrees. The mean tenn
perature in November was--23. 95 de-
grees, the maximum being-three de-
grces and minimum-17 degrees. The
figures, it is claimed, show that the
month of November, 1881, was the
coldest probably ever known, and cer-
tainly Sc lar as regards all previous
Arctic expeditions.
A portion of the diary relating to
the trip by sledge made by Sergeant
Rice, DR.. Pavy and the Esquimau is
devoted to the hardship and rigors of
the climate and the fidelity of the dog
team. OF these dogs the Sergeant
writes:--"Their forttude is remark
able, and their sagacity ard intell-
gence can not be excelled by any
canine of which we know. Although
their relations are generally kept up
through the medium of twenty foot
lash, we always found them willing to
respond atfectionately to kindness
shown them. Pleasing to the eye they
were, too, in their fine winter coats,
which, while away from the station,
they kept as clean and spotless as the
sable or ermine mutf of any Broadway
belle, and their bushy tails curled like
plume over the back. We have fre-
quently tried to guide them, and, on
uttering the barbarous sounds which /
flattered myself were pretty good Es-
quimau, have been surprised to see
every dog turn around in amazement,
and even thought i could detect a sar-
castle smile on the faces of them"
In one of the preliminary sedge
party expeditions to Halls Rest on the
Greenland side every match but one
in the party had been exhausted. The
shivering group had no hope of life
save in the ability to strike a spirit
lamp from this remaining match, and
the man now dead wrote this descrip-
ton: "The match snapped, cracked
and showed little flame which by dex-
terious management was communi-
Gated to the wood and triumphantly
applied to the wick of the spirit lamp.
But, great Heavens! the wick is wet
from the falling moisture of the tent
1t sputters -fzzles s-the match itself is
burned up to the benumbed fingers OF
the holder, when one of the agonized
spectators springs from his bag, and
with admirable presence of mind, with
: draws from his breast pocket docu
: ment, which he holds to the expiring
1 match in time to perpetuate its fire.
They are saved! We must show tha
n the action was heroic. This paper, sc
y promptly sacrificed in the interests o.
: science and humanity was one re
V ceived by its pOssessor at the last mo
K ment before leaving civilization, and i
Il was surmised that it Contained the las
e fond evidence of the tender emotion
e entertained for him by a fair writer
d who mayhaps penned the loving mis-
e sive with trembling hands and blind
n ing tears. No doubt a gentle hanC
S had traced on that well-worn lette
!. sweet words that breathed both VOW
y of devotion and prayers for success. |
Il was apparently worn as an amulet o
l. talisman. The romance is not yet un
l. ravelcd, for the hero is-as heroes ar
Il -reticent. But are we not reminded
l. of the Bible, which, placed by tende
q hands with thoughtful care in tn
Il breast pocket of the soldier, stops tn
fatal bullet, or of the Crusaders eros
a turning the deadly scimetar Of tn
h Saracen? We can only hope that tn
IS fire was indeed Prometheus and tha
Al the espistle may assist a match tina
was uduc III uCdN CH 90 NOll 90 VII
IS that was lighted on the desOlate Greer
Sc land coast
!; When Sergeant Rice and part
~ reached Floeburg Beach, the wintc
= quarters of the Alert expedition
10 1896, and in 50 deg. q min. mort
le le latitude, the highest position on th
u globe that has ever been attained b
ie a ship, evidences of the British occup;
l, tion of the site were to be seen o