Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-10-29

The Conquest of the Pole

: Hurricane -- Narrow Es- :
/: cape From Death When !:
: Ice Parted Il & :
SEVENTH ARTICLEl :
S+s*s+s*s*s+s+s+s+s+s+s*s+
perfectly, enabling the eye to search
carefully every nook and crevice
through the vague incandescence
which blinds the observer In hazy
weather. The amber glass therefore
reduces not the quantity of light. as
do smoky glasses, but the quality.
We were not only relieved Of the pain
and fatigue Of snow glare. but the
amber color gave q touch Of cheer and
warmth to our chilled horizon Of blues.
So thoroughly were we in love with
these goggles that later they were
worn while asleep. with the double
object Of screening the strong light
which passes through the eyelids and
also to keep the forehead warm.
On this march in the early part Of
the afternoon the weather proved good
\ and the ice, though newly crevassed.
improved as we advanced. The late
start spread our days work close to
the chill Of midnight. and before we
were quite ready to camp there were
signs of another gale from the west.
Little sooty clouds with ragged edges
scurried along at an alarming pace,
and beyond a huge smoky bank black
ened the pearly glitter.
\ Suitable camping ice was sought,
and in the course Of an hour an igloo
was built. The structure was built
stronger than usual. Double tiers Of
snow blocks were placed to the wind
ward and a little water was thrown
over the top to cement the blocks.
I The dogs were fastened to the lee Of
hummocks, and the sleds were secure
| ly lashed and fastened to the ice.
We expected a hurricane and had
not long to wait to taste of its bitters.
Before we were at rest in our bags
the wind brushed the SHOWS with a
!, force inconceivable. The air thickened
! with rushing drift. In few moments
the dogs and sleds were buried under
banks Of snow and great drifts en-
circled the igloo. The cemented blocks
of our dome withstood the sweep Of
the blast very well. but many small
holes were burrowed through the snow
wall. permitting some drift to enter.
Early in the morning. after rush
iof but few hours, the storm ceased
as suddenly as it came and left still
ness which was appalling. The dogs
soon began to howl desperately. as If
attacked by a bear, and we rushed
out. seeking guns. but there was no
approaching creature.
It was a combined signal Of distress.
The storm driven SHOWS had buried
and bound them in unyielding frost.
They had partly uncovered themselves,
but by trace and harness they were
frozen to hardened masses, so much
80 that few could rise and stretch,
which is q severe torment to dogs aft
er q storm. We freed their traces.
beat the cemented SHOWS from their
furs with sticks. and their curling tails
and pointed noses told of common graf
itude.
As we skirmished about for little
stretch ourselves the sun rose over the
northern blue, flashing the newly driV-
en- SHOWS in warm tones. The temper
ature during the storm rose to 28 be-
low. but now the thermometer sank
rapidly below 40. The west was still
smoky, and the weather did not seem
quite settled. 1t was too early to start.
so we disrobed again. slipped into the
bags and sought a quiet slumber.
A few hours later we were rudely
awakened by loud explosive noises.
Looking about. nothing unusual was
detected about the igloo. and a peep
through the eye port gave no cause
for the disturbance. 1t was concluded
that the ice was cracking from the.
sudden change of temperature In quite
the usual harmless manner. and we
turned over to prolong the bag COM
forts.
Then there came a series Of thun-
dering noises, with which the ice quiv-
cred. Ahwelah arose and said that
the house was breaking. l turned to
rise and sank into a newly formed
crevasse, which up to that moment was
bridged by snow. A man In bag Is a
helpless creature. and with water be-
low and tumbling blocks Of snow from
above pressing one deeper and deeper
the case was far from humorous at a
temperature Of 4S below.
Still. the boys laughed heartily. Their
hands, however. were quickly occu-
pied. Ahwelah grabbed my bag and
rolled me over on snow Of doubtful
security. They then slipped into furs
with electric quickness and tossed the
things out on safe ice.
In the extreme cold the water froze
in sheets about the bag. and when the
ice was beaten of the reindeer skin
was, to my pleasure. found quite dry.
A few moments more Of sleep and we
might all have found a resting place
in the chilling deep. That experience
kept US ever watchful for the dangers
Of the spreading ice in all calms after
storms.
The ice about was much disturbed,
and numerous black lines OF water
opened on every side, from which
oozed jets Of frosty steam. The great
difference between the temperature OF
the sea and that Of the air made a
contrast of 76 degrees. and the open
spots of ice water appeared to be boil
ing.
Anxious to move along away from
the troubled angle of ice, the usual
breakfast was simplified. Melting some
snow, we poured down the icy liquid
as an eye opener and then began at
the half pound bowlder Of pemmican,