The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1889-04-26
THE SUMMIT OF MONT BLANC.
Prof. Tyndan Gives a Thrilling Description
OF a Fight Against the Cold.

On Prof. Tyndalrs second ascent of
Mont Blanc he was caught in a snow
storm at the summit. He has given a
graphic description of the difficulty
and danger which attended his at
tempts in performing some scientific
experiments in such circumstances. 1t
offered a curious illustration of the
fact that there arc times when nothing
is so welcome as suffering. The FROST
bitten mans case became more hopeful
as soon as he felt pain.
1.-The clouds whirled wildly around
us. and the fine snow, which was
caught by the wind and spit bitterly a.
us, cut off a visible communication be-
tween us and the lower world. AS &e
approached the summit the air thick
ened more and more, and the cold be-
came intense.
1--WE reached the top in good condi-
ton, nevertheless, and leaving Bal
mat, the guide, to make a hole for the
thermometer. l collected a namber of
batons, drove them into the snow, and
drawing my plaid around them formed
a kind OF eNtempore tent to shelter my
boiling-water apparatus. The cover.
ering was tightly held, but the snow
was fine and dry as dust, and penctrat-
ed everywhere; my camp could not be
secured from it, and half a box OF
matches was consumed in the efforts
to ignite it. AT length it did flame up,
and carried ora spluttering combus-
ton.
Meanwhile the absence of muscular
action caused the cold to effect Oh,
men severely. myself was too intent
upon my work to feel it much. but l
vas nnmbed; one of my fingers had
lost sensation and my right heel was
in pain; still had no thought of re-
linguishing my observation until Mi.
Wills came to say that he must return
speedily for Balmat's hands were
frozen. did not comprehend the full
significance of the word, but the por-
tiers presented such an aspect of suf.
fering that feared to detain them any
longer.
Il struck my tent, deposited my
thermometer, and as | watched the
covering of it up ONE of the party
commenced the descent. | followed
them speedily, Midway down tho
first slope l saw Balmat, who was
about 100 yards in advance of me, sud-
denly pause and thrust his hands into
the snow and commence rubbing them
vigorously.
"The suddenness of the act surpris.
ed me, but l had no idea at the same
time of its real significance. / sool
came up to him; he seemed frightened,
and continued to beat and rub his
hands, plunging them at quick inter.
walls into the snow. Still | thought
the thing would speedily pass away,
for | had too much faith in the man;
experience to suppose that he would
permit himself to be seriously injured
"At last he became exhausted by hi.
efforts. staggered like a drunken man
and fell upon the snow. Mr.. Will,
and took each a hand, and continued
the process of beating and rubbing.
feared that we should iujurc him b,
our blows, but he continued 10 eX
claim:
"'Don't be afraid! Strike all til,
time, strike hard.'
I'VE did so. till Mr.. Wills becam,
exhausted, and a porter had to tax,
his place. Meanwhile Balmat pinche,
and bit bis fingers at intervals, to ties
their condition; but for a long tim,
there was no sensation. He was evi
IDENTIFY hopeless. AT last rcturnin.
sensation in onc hand announced itscl
by excruciating pain.
81 sutfer!' he exclaimed at interval
words, which, from Il man of iron
endurance, had more than ordinar,
significance. But pain was bette
than death, and, under the circum
stances, a sign of Improvement.
1--WE assumed Il descent, while Ia
continued to rub his hands with snou
and brandy, thiusting them at ever,
few steps into the snow. AT Cnamoun
he had skillful medica! advice, and cs
capped with the loss Of sixof his nails
his hands were saved = l0uih'S Com
Pami0n.