The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-01-30
TWO THOUSAND MILES ON ICE
Two Indians Pass From America to Asia
"a Huge floe.

From the Alaska News.
From a gentleman who recently ar
rived in Juneau from the Far North we
learn an almost incredible tale of sur
fering and endurance experienced by
two Indian boys several years ago,
while out sealing. Our relator had been
to Siberia on the revenue cutter Bear
and had returned to Alaska with car
go of reindeer. They were deposited at
the Teller reindeer station, wnere ne
also went ashore. Here a sledge ana
team of dogs were hired and a journey
overland to Point Barrow was begun.
AT the latter point the Ice was found 10
be glare and perfectly solid. so he con-
tinued his journey across the Benrlng
straits as far as the Big Diomed island.
This island is the home of quite a large
tribe of Indians, whose SubsiStance is
derived almost entirely from the sea.
During the winter season they ire
quently travel many miles from home
on their sealing expeditions. but never
except When the wind Is from the north.
Should the wind shift ITS direction the
ice is quite liable to break up in huge
foes, to be carried here and there by
every current II strikes until its final
dismtegration is complete.
In the time that was spent on Doomed
island two young Indians went out
sealing and before any seals were seen
they had Travelled over 10 miles from
their home. In the meantime the Ice,
, which had been in a rotten condh1on
for several days, broke into several
| huge fields and when the Indians came
| to a realization of their position they
were drifting out into Boring sea
| broad expanse, with the land slowly
fading from view, In the first, second
and third days nothing occurred 20
vary the monotony. Their little stock
of grub had disappeared and starvation
seemed to stare them in the face. on
the morning of the fourth day wal
rus climbed up ON one end OF the noe
several hundred feet distant from the
the spot where the boys had spent the
night Seeing the huge, clumsy brute
pulling himself up on the ice for
sleep, they watched him with an ca
gerness made all the more keen from
the fact that 1T meant life or death 10
them. Their sufferings from thirst had
already swollen their tongues so great
/ ly as to render speech difficult. After
having surveyed the field to his salts
faction, the walrus lay down and was
soon sleeping soundly. With stealthy
steps THE Indians now approached and
the wind being in their favor, they sue
ceeded in killing the animal before ne
could awaken and Scr3 mble on the zee
They first gorged themselves with the
blood. It being the first article of drink
they had in nearly four days. During
all the time they were on the foe they
subssted entirely upon this walrus.
On the 0IIn Gay 'l.EN saw idh0 bSo'ii
and upon approaching closer to II, II
proved to be Nunivak island, 500 miles
south of where they had started from
They drifted to within few miles OF
shore and were certain of rescue, wher
they came in the path OF other WINDS
and their direction was changed 10 8
westerly one Slowly the land passed
out of sight, and when next 1t was seer
they had drlfted and had been blown
entirely across Behring sea and wer
nearing the coast of Siberia To TIM
shore line they approached wlthli
about the same distance as they did
Nunivak island. but again CONTRARY
winds were encountered and they start
ed east again. Their meat by this TIM
was almost exhausted and they nat
for days suffered indeScrfbably iron
thirst.
They never knew how many days
took in crossing Behring sea the secon'
time, as before they were rescued the!
had become delirious. and death wouf
, have been welcome. A friendly breeZ
finally blew their ice cake, now greatl
reduced in size, ashore at the mouth o
: Kusk oquim, landing ii 50 gently on IN
sand bars that the huge mass neVe
broke When the tide passed out the
> were taken ashore by halfbreed trade
' who has a store in that vicinity an
5 were cared for until restored 10 healti
1 and then they were sent back 10 fhei
! homes. They had foated about ON IN
\ ice exactly three weeks, during wh1c
\ time they travelled nearly 1000 miles.