The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1889-02-23
THE SUMMIT Of MONT BLANC.
Prof Tyndall Gives a Thrilling Descrip-
ton Of Fight Against the Cold.

tion Of . Fight Against the Cold.
On Professor Tyndall's second
ascent of Mont Blanc he was caught
in snow storm at the summit. He
has given a graphic description of
the difficulty and danger which at
tended his attempt at performing
some scientific experiments in such
circumstances. 1t offered a curious
illustration of the fact that there
are times when nothing is so vel
come as suffering. The frost-bitten
mans case became more hopeful as
soon as he felt pain.
"The clouds whirled wildly round
US, and the fine snow, which was
caut h. by the wind and spit bitterly
at US, cut off visible communica-
ton between us and the lower world.
AS we approached the summit the
air tickled more and more, and the
cold became intense.
1--WE reached the top in good con-
dition, nevertheless, and leaving
Balmat, the guide, to make a hole
for the thermometer, | collected 6.
number of batons, drove them into
the snow, and, drawing my plaid
round them, formed a kind of ex-
tempore tent to shelter my boiling
water apparatus. The covering was
tightly held, but the snow was fine
and dry as dust, and penetrated
everywhere my lamp could not be
secured from it, and half a box of
matches was consumed in the effort
to ignite it. At length it did flame
up and carried on a splutterine
combustion.
Meanwhile the absence Of mus.
cular action caused the cold to af-
feet our men severely. | myself
was too intent upon my work to
feel it much, but l was benumbed;
one of my fingers had lost sensa-
ton, and my right heel was in pain;
still had no thought Of relinquish-
ing my observation until Mr.. Willis
came to say that we must return
speedily, for Balmat's hands were
frozen. l did not comprehend the
full significance of the word; but
the porters presented such an as
pect of suffering that I feared to
detain them any longer.
II struck my tent, deposited the
thermometer, and as l watched the
covering of it up, some Of the party
the descent. l followed
them speedily. Midway down the
first slope l saw Balmat, who was
about hundred yards in advance
Of me, suddenly pause and thrust
his hands into the snow, and COM
mence rubbing them vigorously.
"The suddenness of the act sur
prised me, but l had no idea at the
time of its real significance. soon
came up to him; he seemed fright
ened, and continued to beat and
rub his hands, plunging them at
quick intervals into the snow. Still
| thought the thing would speedily
pass away, for l had too much faith
in the mans experience to suppose
that he would permit himself to be
seriously injured. But it did not
pass, as | hoped it would, and the
possibility of his losing his hands
presented itself to me.
"At last he became exhausted by
ais efforts, staggered like drunken
nan and fell upon the snow. Mr..
Willis and l took each hand and
continued the process of beating
md rubbing. l feared that we
should injure him by our blows, but
le continued to exclaim:
Don't be afraid! Strike all the
ime, strike hard =
"We did so, till Mr.. Willis be-
'ame exhausted, and a porter had
o take his place. Meanwhile, Bal
nat pinched and bit his fingers at
intervals, to test their condition;
,ut for a long time there was no
'ensatlon. He was evidently hope
ess. At last returning sensation
n one hand announced itself by
'xcruciating pain.
'''I suffer!' he exclaimed at in
ervals-words which, from a man
# iron endurance, had more than
ordinary significance. But pain
vas better than death, and under
he circumstances a sign of in,-
1--WE resumed the descent, while
le continued to rub his hands With
now and brandy, thrusting them
It every few steps into the snow.
1t Chamouni he had skillful medi.
al advice, and escaped with the
oss of six of his nails-his hands
vere saved. YOUTHS Companion.