The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-02-04

this we were on the Grand Plateau, a
much wider level than the other, edged
with tremendous ice cliffs and GREY
asses, and situated ut an elevation of
$4,000 feet. For some time now II had
been broad day, but the clouds had
thickened rapidly and the summit was
wrapped and completely hidden In
them. Blasts of frigid wind began TO
whistle about us, driving singing pei
lets OF Ice into our faces. We quicken
cd our steps, for 1t would not do TO be
caught IN storm here. The Grand
Plateau has tnken more lives than lila
lil-starred neighbor below.
A MONT BLANC SNOW STORM
we now bore Off to the right In order
TO Chamber up the side of the great chan
mel, or depression, that we had thus
fnr followed. because 1T it's upper end
where II meets the base OF the cruwning
pyramid of Mont Blanc, IL abuts against
recovered precipiccs that no mortal
williever scale. Snow commenced 10
lall ana the wind rose. AS we nearcd
the crest OF the ridge connecting the
| Dome du Goutere with the Bosses du
! Dromadatrc and the summit, the tenn
| pest burst tierccly upon u.s. In an in
stant we were envelnped by a cloud Of
| whirlinE snow that blottetl out the sky
| ana mountaiS alike. 1t drove into my
| eyes and half blinded me- II WIS sn
thick that objects n few yards away
would nave been concealed even With
out a violent wind to confuse the vision.
At times Couttct, close ahead of me.
was visible only in n kind Of gray ont
ilne, like wrath. On an open plain
such Il storm in such n temprrn turr
would nave had its dangers for tray
eiier seeking his way. We were seeking
our way, not on an open plain, hut two
miles and 4 half above sea level in n
desert of snow and ice, cncompassod
win prccipiceS. chaSms and pitfalls
treading on we knew not what assailod
by Il wild storm, all landmarks oblIt
Grated and our footsteps filing so fast
with drifted snow that in two minutes
we could not see from what direction
we had last came.
In such n situation the imagination
becomes dramatic. The night before |
had been reading the account of the
loss, in 1870. of DR.. Bean. Mr. Randall
and the Rev. Mr.. CorlIendale together
with five guides and three porters
eleven persons in all. in just such q
storm and within sight of this spot.
And now as we stumbled along l re-
peated to myself. almost word for word
DR.. Beams message 10 his wife found
when his body was discovered.
September Z, evening-My dear Hes.
sic: We have been two days on Mont
Blanc in the midst of terrible hurri-
cane of snow; we have lest our way and
are in a hole scooped in the snow at
an altitude OF $4,000 feet I have no
| longer any hope of descending. Per
haps this notebook will he found and
sent TO YOU. We have nothing to cat,
my feet are already frozen and l am
exhausted. ! have strength to write
only few words more. l have left
means for C's. education: know YOU
Will employ them wisely. die with
faith in God and with loving thoughts
OF you. Farewell to all We shall meet
again in heaven-I think of you al
ways"
The bodies of five Of these Victims
were found but few feet aside from
the proper route which in clear wea ther
would have led to safety; the other STA
had disappeared
While such cheerful irecollections were
running through my mind noticed
.hal We were no longer ascending. and
that Couttet, whom had not trouble1
with questions as long as he shnmall M