The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1909-12-16

so we disrobed again, slipped into tn
bags and sought quiet slumber
A few hours later we were rudely
awakened by loud explosive noises
! Looking about, nothing unusual wal
| detected about the igloo, and a peel
through the eye port gave no cause
for the disturbance. 1t was concluded
that the ice was cracking from the
sudden change OF temperature I'm 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 fee qulv-
the house was breaking. / turned to
rise and sank into a newly formed
crevasse, which up to that moment was
bridged by snow. A man In a 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 resting place
in the chilling deep. That experience
kept us ever watchful for the dangers
of the spreading ice in all Gains 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,
but with cold fingers, blue lips and no
possible shelter the stuff was unusual
~ hard.
To warm mp the sleds were prepared
and under the lash the dogs jumped
into harness with bound. The penn
mican, somewhat reduced with the ak
was ground under the molars as we
went along. The teeth were thus
kept from chattering. and the stomach
was fired with durable fuel.
AS we advanced the fee improved to
some extent. and with little search
a safe crossing was found over all of
the new crevices, though strong west
erly wind carried a piercing cold.
Good progress was made, but we were
not allowed to forget at any time that
we were invading the forbidden do
mains Of polar environment.
The Bitter Cold.
In starting before the end of the
winter night and camping on the open
Ice fields in the long northward march |
we had first accustomed our eyes to
frigid darkness and then to a perpetu-
Il glitter with shivers. This proved to
De the coolest season of the year We
should have been hardened to all kinds |
# arctic torment, but man only gains |
hat advantage when the pulse ceases
o beat.
Far from land, far from other life,
here was nothing to arouse warm |
ng spirit. Along the land there had |
,een Gains and gales and an inspiring |
contrast, even in the dark days and
lights, but here the frigid world was
cit at its worst. The wind, which
anne persistently from the west-now
trong, now feeble, but always sharp
Inflicted a pain to which we never be-
anne accustomed.
The kind OF torture most felt in this
Wind and humid air of an arctic pack
vas picturesque mask of fee about
he face. Every bit of eXhaled mois-
ure condensed and froze either to the
acial hair or to the line OF fox tails
bout the hood. 1t made comical
aricature OF us.
The frequent turns in this course
rought both sides to the wind and
ranged line Of icicles from every
air offering convenient nucleus.
'hese lines of crystal offered a pleas
AZ dash OF light and color as we
,oked at each other, but they did not
ford much amusement to the indi-
idual exhibiting them. Such hairs as
ad not been pulled from the lips and
he chin were first weighted. and then F..
he wind carried the breath to the long
air with which we protected our
eads and left a mass of dangling
rost.
An ley Coating.
Accumulated moisture from the eyes
Dated the eyelashes and brows. The
escaping about the forehead
1T crescent of snow above, while
nat escaping under the chin, combined
nth falling breath, made a semicircle
ice. The most uncomfortable icicles.
owever. were those that had formed
n the coarse hair within the nostrils.
is to free the face of this kind of
that the Eskimos pull the
lcial hair out by the roots; hence the