Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-10-04
CHAPTER III,

CHAPTER III.
Col. Rivers was right, for in few hours the
swift southern current carried the vast floating
area of ice upon which the travellers were en-
camped so near to the Siberian coast that the
shadowy outlines Of mountains became visible
to the little party. Their long and perilous
journey seemed about to end without any seri-
Gus mlshar, when startling occurrence broke
III upon their gayety and hopefulness with al
most tragic violence.
The velocity OF the current was such that the
smaller foes the young ice, 1t is called were
from time to time hurled with terrific force
upon the edge OF the more solid masses and
pied up in fantastic shapes-a sight which ex-
erted peculiar fascination upon Virginie and
often decOyed her away from the others in
order that she might stand alone in this vast
temple of solitude and primeval grandeur.
Here she often fingered in dangerous prox-
unity to the sublime spectacle of towering
palaces of ice reared in a brief moment only
to be toppled over by the same mighty forces,
and in their fall to fill the air with a strange
and mysterious glow of phosphorescent light
Though frequently besought by her mother
not to separate herself from the others yir-
ginie seemed unable to escape from the fascina-
ton of these res;stless forces of nature spend
ing their strength in play, as it were.
suddenly shrill cry OF half anguish, half
amazement, reached Cesar Girard and his
friends. Bounding toward the studio he salts.
fed himself that Virginie was not with her
mother, and in his dread foreboding his legs
bent beneath him as he attempted to turn and
give the alarm.
Col Rivers and Pechkoff. however, caught
the fun neaning OF the fathers pitiful look
and dashing away in the direction of the CRY
soon reached the edge of the ice field.
What they saw smote even their stout hearts.
The French maiden was adrift upon mass Of
ice. which in the crash OF the drifting fraz.
ments had been broken from the main field.
tiful Virginie was equally an object of admira-
ton, could only stand rooted to the spot as
they Sazed apon the fast receding mass of ice
and saw that sweet, pale face turned so implor-
lngly upon them as its unfortunate owner
kneeling upon the ice, stretched her arms in a
silent appeal toward them, toward the two men
who she we'll knew loved her with love strong
enough to brave instant death to save her
And yet they were but human, for in spite of
the strength Of their affection, which for the
nonce raised them to the level OF the gods for
whom nature terrific powers have no terrors,
they could do nothing.
More dead than alive Cesar Girard and his
wife came up with the two men. At sight of
the fainting, weeping mother Rivers seemed to
get his head and turning to her he cried out:
Courage. Madame Girard, the temperature
is falling rapidly, the drift can't last much
longer, Virginie will not be carried far away
from US. Courage! Courager'
Then with CHEEKY voice he directed GiYard
and Pechkof to bring food and extra furs to
| the edge OF the ice field, while he busted him
self in splicing two Of the poles together
IF she drifts within thirty feet OF u.s." he
exclaimed, his handsome clean cut face aglow
with the excitement of the moment, I'VE shall
be able to pass this food and extra clothing to
| her. Then all will be we'll until the increas-
| ing cold puts an end to this sea of broken ice
and We are able to go in search Of her."
Tho anxious parents had not long to wait
for the mass of ice bearing their loved child
| seemed to be caught in an eddying current
| twisted around and shot toward the main field
Virginie had now completely recovered from
her sudden and overwhelming distress, and as
soon as her raft of ice brought her within hail
| ing distance OF her parents she cried out in
| clear and far-reaching tones:
Fear nothing, dearest mother, I'm perfectly
| safe. 1t will only be a short separation and
i shall have SO many things to tell you Au
| revoir, au revoir!" aud the maiden's musical
| laugh rang out in the distance as the block of
| ice again moved away in spite OF Madame
Girard's prayer, for that poor mother was
kneeling on the ice with her arms outstretched
toward her beloved child. and her lips were
pouring out the most touching supplication to
high heaven for the return Of her daughtex
Again the doe was caught by some counter
current and sent once more in the direction Of
the little camp. Closer and closer 1t came.
| Madame Girard's heart almost ceased to throb,
as with parted lips and bated breath she fol-
lowed the movement of that block OF ice
Rivers, holding the spliced poles upon the
end OF which were strapped the food and furs,
stood upon the extreme edge OF the ice field,
| calm and erect while Girard and Pechkoh, one
on each side OF him. we're kneelng and en-
circling his legs with their arms. in order to
| give him better and freer use of his hands
| without any danger Of losing his balance. It
was a moment of breathless allegiance. Every
face was blanched. The life of human being
lay in the scales before the very eyes Of four OF
her fellow-creatures to whom she was thou
sand times dearer than life itself, for WITH what
JOY would any one of those four have died to
ice comes drifting.
Virginie has caught glimpse Of the little
group, and the sight of those four white faces
has checked her mirth.
Rivers is watching the movement Of the
block with look SO earnest and so intense
that no words can give any idea Of it. He
seems to have turned to ice himself 90 notion
less he stands there, 20 white has his counte-
nance grown.
But look, he moves, he gathers himself as il
for some great feat OF strength, his arms draw
back, and making . herculean effort he casts
the spliced poles lancewise through the air
and laads their precious load upon the ice At
Virginies feet
As Girard and Pechkon see that success has
crowned the effort they drag the American
back from the insecure foothold he had upon
the edge Of the ice field, and for moment no
word is spoken.
But look again! High heaven has at last
yielded to that mothers prayer. The block Of
ice comes ever nearer and nearer. Not twenty
feet separates it now. Madame Girard has
been seized with hysteria and alternately
laughs and cries, now clapping, now wrinein9
her hands.
Rivers, strange to say, has retrsated ten feet
more to the rear Of the others, but they are too
intent upon the ice Zoe to note the fact The
twenty feet Of water which separates mother
and child has now been lesssnsd BY ave, when
suddenly the quick tramp Of running feet IL
and with splendid bound leaves the Zoe 6eid,
| cloaves the air and falls beside virHinie. He
" somewhat stunned, but when he feels her