The Red Cloud chief., 1886-01-29

until two sheer walls faced each othe
more than ten feet apart.
Though the chasm lay directly in on
way. to cross it was out Of the question
The guide turned quickly to the right
| and we followed the brink Of the GREY
assc. hoping TO find a point where i
ended or was narrow enough to sprin:
owe The fog had now become 81
dense that we could not sec q dozer
steps before us, and we were forced t.
move at a snairs pace in order L
avoid falling into some unseen abyss
We had gone on in this way perhap.
five minutes. when there came another
report. followed by a series OF weaker
shocks. The guide and / paused an,
looked around u..
The situation had become, to say tn
least. embarrassing. During a mo
inentary lift Of the fog, we saw al
around US a perfect network of cracks
intersecting one another at every
angle. Then. as the vapor closed in
again. we could hear on every side ire
mendous crashes and grindings. as the
huge masses Of ice approached or re.
cedcd from each other.
What to do now was a serious ques.
ton. TO proceed a single yard might
be to precipitate ourselves to the bot.
tom Of some frightful chasm, and to re.
main where we were might be merely
waiting until the ice should open be.
meath II feet and cngulf US. But VIC
were speedily forced to a conclusion.
While we stood a few feet apart anx-
iously discussing IL position, there
was another shock, and l was blinded
by a shower Of small particles of ice.
When cleared my eyes / saw that
another cleft had opened directly at
my feet. between myself and the
guide. 1t was rapidly widening. and
in 4 few seconds would completely
separate me from my companion.
Without hesitation I sprang across it
and stood beside him. lie looked at
me with a grave face.
We are in great danger" he said,
simply.
Yes" l replied. as quietly as I
could, but we must do our best to
get out of it. What do you adviser"
1--WE must not stop here" he said,
peering into the fog; 1--WE are evident
ly in the very center of these
If we could get nearer to either bank
We should be safer. ! think We had
better follow n of these cracks until
we a cross it. We shall have to feel
way. for this fog hides every
Very good" I replied; lead on
and l will keep close behind YOU"
Crouching almost to our hands and
We proceeded slowly onward.
the main crevasse, a cleft
twenty feet wide. on our left.
For nearly an hour We went on in this
way. and still the awful chasm yawncd
us. Indeed. it seemed to me
hat We had not moved at all. and
hat | recognized certain peculiarities
u surroundings As similar to those
had noticed at our point of de-
,arture.
While I was bordering this dis
notion. l saw the guide stoop
md pick up some object from the ice. |
lie turned and looked ut me with q
White face.
1--WE need go no further" he said.
up his spirit-flask. II dropped
hat an hour ago on the ice beside the
.rcvasse."
lin other words" said /, I'VE have
cen travelling i'm n circle for the last
"Yes. the crevass is all around u.s."
replied, with a dropping head.
We are imprisoned upon an island Of
&C."
l was silent for a moment, struggling
nth my Own dread.
Well" said l 1--WE must make the
of it. and wait until the
loses again"
He shook his head sorrowfully. The
bass Of ice we are standing upon will
: more likely to split up and we be
& % the bottom"
'S&he case is hopeless, them" I said.
WeNQan do no more. Let us meet
lesth ~asSRravely as We can"
"Old Mber was right" he muttered.
He warn{ hpe1andI have led you to
"Lct US Mt spe( of that" I an
wered. lido not me you. Franz.
.et us shake hands. Z sit down and
RAFT for whatever Pc fidence sees fit to
unto u.s." IL
You are q bSN man." he said.
,rasping my hand.
Desiring to prepss myself for what
RS to come As well l might. I with
q little dists1 e from him. and
itting down, cove my eyes with
ny hand. Aeantiss the grinding and
went On about me. The
had settled dovS SO heavily that it
vas almost like nia
Suddenly and ". put warning there
1as . oar hike thousand thunder
'eals. . binding q of ice particles.
md l felt as il been seized and
lurlcd bodily into G air. Then, with
wild cvsa my ears and the
ound Of . furioSd lind rushing past
ne. l seemed II be sinking down.
into unfatAJ able depths. Then