Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1890-04-12

more laggaruly lifted Its bulk against
the gray OF the southern horizon; and TO
our excited imaginations minutes were
transformed into hours, and a brief half
hour became an age.
The tortures Of that ride defy descrip-
tion. The events Of lifetime forced
themselves for review before our men
tai vision. Tightly compressed lips,
blanched cheeks and staring eyes told
OF the doubts and fears each would
cain have concealed even from his own
consciousness; and form of paralysis
Supervened ~ the peculiar numbness
that in dire and prolonged extremity
induces outward calm without In the
least mitigating the agony OF the soul. 4
Every instant We expected that the
ice-field would open and enguli as or
bar our progress Already the little
mare had dragged us over numerous
cracks and rents that moment later
would have proved our destruction.
Ears preternaturally sharpened by fear,
in spite OF the roaring OF the gale, took
note Of the crashing and grinding that
was going on behind us.
Abackward glanc" revealed scene
to appal the stoutest heay as the angry
waves drove the loose ic- Guriously for
ward. tossing and piling up, only TO dis
appear again instantly, carrying with
| IL new masses, broken from the field.
The work OF disintegration and de-
struction was advancing with a speed
that rivaled our own; and beneath our
runners we could feel the heaving,
swaying and throbbing of the impris-
oned waters.
As the line OF hummocks that marked
the reef prolongation OF the Point came
in view, we discovered that the long,
narrow foe upon which we were-the
vanishing ice-sheet, washed on the one
hand by the breaking waves of vast
expanse OF lake, and on the other by the
waters of the crerdsse that all along had
cut us off from shore-was continuous,
with ice immovably anchored among the
outlying rocks of the shadows. Only q
few rods more, and our safety was as
sured.
The wind. which was blowing in
fierce and ftful gusts, now veered more
to the north, and, concentrating it's en-
ergies, swept down in squall OF unu.
sual violence, shrouding us in dash oi
, rain that obscured all about, catching
the sleigh and whirling IL round, there
, br nearly throwing the mare from hel
(, Il and bringing her 70 full stop A
the same Instant loud report rent thu
air: the ice beneath shook and trembled
: flock of gnlls, appearing from SONS
, unknown quarter, swept overhead II
, noisy and discordant fight that seemed
n ominous; and as the thick cleared ava,
1t was seen that the foe had parted nea
the head OF the erecdsse, and was alread.
several yards out in the lake.
Hearts that a little before had beel
beating high with hope now sank utter
! IL. The Commodore threw off his Goa
a. II 10 make plunge and swim for II
!, but the hopelessness and folly Of such
procedure caused him TO replace IL. Ou
!. fate seemed sealed except as aid coul
a be had from the Point But just then
= grinding sensation told that the foe ha
, met a temporary check, and its diret
: movement changed to . circular motto
= a. IL pivoted upon It's lower extremit!
caught probably by some great rock.
- Another gust OF the squall sti
further reduced the area of our ice-raf
leaving US upon portion scarce half a
acre in extent; but IL also set in motto
:, vast quantities OF loose cakes, sendin
y them dancing and swirling down II
rreFdsSe. just opposite us, where II
a lane was narrowest. they jammed Al
piled up. momentarily bridging u
chasm. Here offered chance-a ba
chance that we might escape
;, abandoning the pung, and risking o
lives on foot.
:, Hut before such thought could
-, - acted upon. JEANNE" darted forwa
N with such abruptness that the pung W
~ ~ nearly overturned. and the next insta
'' was in the midst Of the hcaving, swa
ing mass. over which we we're dragg'
he with furious bangs and iolts. Not on
na did she miss her footing; but with u
'e' abated speed, leaping from one unstab
re foundation TO another, en- she went q
er occupants OF the pung clinging to
NJ sides with all the energy Of fear.
er strip of water. several feet across, gap
~ suddenly in her path, but she took
IN with bound that landed her in safe
~ on the opposite brink.
Not so fortunate was the pung, no
OF ever. Down 1t went with a great splas
ng filed, half turned over, then righted
m IL rose 10 the ice again with q terrih
er crash ard went TO pieces after the ma
m ner of the Wonderful One Hoss Sha,
"AIl al once and nothing nrsL
just as bubbles do when they burst"
Little remains TO be told. The Il
leap took US into the midst of rocks a
ne powders where the Ice was in a mel
Gu ure secure from the effects of the ga
'us Three minutes walk brought us TO I
en- line of hummocks that marked {
'h' strand. over which We scrambled. no
h@ the worse for the experience except
"o good wetting. some bruises, sha
ot knees and irregularly accelerated hea
Va beats.
" We stormed the station TO the I
bounded amazement OF Its guardia
who kindled a rousing fire In the bert
''e room for our benefit supplied us vi
an hot coffee and provided us with
leh leh change OF garments until our o'
me proper apparel could be dried. ''Jea
as ME. . in the meantime, found snug qai
'fs ters in the boat-room below.
es- Three hours later We set out for hon
uf. wading half-leg deep in slush a
iut melted snow. Though the hour "
lor close on 10 midnight when We arriy
ace the settlement was yet awake, and Q
~" arrival was the cause OF great reioici
and labilation. for We were supposed
mt be dead or dying somewhere in m
We lake -Dr a. ArGhlo StoekNel