Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1889-03-21
SEVERELY FRosT-elTTEN.

SEVERELY FRosT-elTTEN.
Prof. Ty.d.n's Graphic Dsseriptio. Of Hls
Ascent Of Mont Blanc.
On Prof Yyndalrs second ascent Of
Mont Blanc h was caught in snow
storm at the summit. He has given
, graphic description Of tho difficulty
md danger which attended his at
tempts at performing some scientific
experiments in such circumstances. 1t
offers curious illustration of the fact
that there are times when nothing is
so welcome as suffering. The frost
bitten mans case became more hope
full Is soon as he felt pain.
The clouds whirled wildly round us,
and the fine snow. which was caught
by the wind and spit bitterly at US,
cut off all visible communication be-
tween us and the lower world. As we
approached the summit the air thick
ened more and more, and the cold be-
came intense.
+ We reached the top in good con-
dition. nevertheless, and. leaving Bal
mat the guide, to make a hole for the
thermometer, / collected number OF
batons, drove them into the snow.
and. drawing my plaid around them.
formed kind of extempore 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
box of matches was consumed in
the effort to ignite it. At length it did
flame up, and carried on a spluttering
combustion.
Meanwhile the absence of muscular
action caused the cold to affect our
men severely. myself was too intent
upon my work to feel it much, but l
was numbed; one Of my fingers had
lost sensation and my right heel was
in pain; still I had NO thought of re-
linquishing my observation until Mr..
Wills came to say that we must return
speedily, for Balmat's hands were
frozen. I did not comprehend the full
significance of the word, but the por-
tiers presented such an aspect Of suf-
fering that l feared to detain them
longer.
l struck my tent, deposited the Their
mometer, and as watched the cover
ing of it up some OF the party COM
menced the descent. I followed them
speedily. Midway down the first slope
l saw Balmat, who was about hum
dred yards in advance of me, suddenly
pause and thrust his hands into the
snow and commence rubbing them
vigorously.
The suddenness of the act surprised
me, but had no idea at the time of
its real significance. soon came up
to him; he seemed frightened, and
continued to beat and rub his hand.
plunging them at quick intervals into
the snow. Still I thought the thing
would speedily pass away. for had
too much faith in the mans expe-
rience to suppose that he would per-
NIT 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 his
efforts, staggered like drunken man,
and fell upon the snow. Mr.. Wills
and took each hand, and continued
the process of beating and rubbing. I
feared that we should injure him by
our blows, but he continued to ex-
claim:
Don't be afraid! Strike all the
time. strike hard!'
We did so, till Mr.. Wills become ex-
hausted, and a porter had to take his
place.
Meanwhile Balmat pinched and bit |
his fingers at intervals. to test their |
condition; but for long time there |
was no sensation. He was evidently |
hopeless. At last returning sensation
in one hand announced itself by ex-
cruciating pain.
Il suffer- he exclaimed at inter- !
walls. words which, from a man of iron |
had more than ordinary |
But pain was better than |
death, and. under the circumstances, q |
sign of improvement.
We resumed our descent, while he |
continued to rub his hands with snow
and brandy, thrusting them at every
few steps into the snow. At Cha.
mount he had skillful medical advice,
and escaped with the loss of six of his
nails-his hands were saved. 8
Elevators for Dwellings.