Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-10-08
L BROTHERS

lltg hAtW lual the cOlO OF interSLetldr
space dwelt in that ghostly breath
which smote them. Before they were
wei aware OF the ominous sICnlfi-
canoe OF these signs the storm was
upon them. sweeping through the
chute wherein they stood with rapidly
| increasing violence The terrible un-
seen hand OF the frozen North had I'M
leashed its brood Of furies. and the
air rang with their hideous cries.
There was no question OF facing the
wind. for Il was more cruel than the
fierce breath Of an open furnace sear-
ing the flesh Ike a flame
All the morning the air had hung
IN perfect polse. but some change Of
temperature away out over one OF the
rival oceans had upset the aerostatic
balance. and the wind tore through
this gap Ike the torrent below a bro
ken reservoir
Bait came close 20 Emerson and bel
lowed into his ear:
"Whet shall we do? Roll up IN the
bedding or run for itT'
How Tar is it 20 timbcrT"
Twelve or fifteen miles"
Let's run FOR g.. We're out OF
grub, anyhow. and this may last for
days"
There was no use OF trying 90 secure
additional clothing from the supply IN
the sled. so they abandoned their out
ht and allowed themselves 10 be driven
ahead OF the storm. trusting TO the
natives sense OF direction and keeping
close together. The dogs were already
well drifted over and refused 10 stir.
Once they had gone stones throw
from the sled there was no turning
back. and. although the wind was be
hind them. progress was difficult, for
they came upon chasms which they
had 20 avoid; they crossed slippery
slopes where the storm had barred the
hard crust and which their feet re-
fused 20 grip In such places they
had 20 creep on hands and knees, call
ing 20 one another for guidance. They
were numbed. blinded. choked by the
rage OF the blizzard: their faces grew
sim and their lungs frOze. At times
they fell and were skidded along
ahead OF the blasts This forced them
20 crawl back again. for they dared
not lose their course
Much has been written concerning
the red mans physical powers OF en-
durance. but as rule no Indian Is
the equal OF his white brother. due as
much perhaps 20 lack OF mental force
as 20 generations OF insufficient cloth
ing and hamilton. so II was not sur
| prising that as the long afternoon
| dragged TO n close the Aleut guide be-
gan TO weaken.
Darkness found them staggering on,
supporting him wherever possible. At
length he became unable to guide them
farther. and Bait. who had once made
the trip. took his place. while the 9TH
ers dragged the poor creature along az
the cost OF their precious strength.
They had long since lost all track Of
hme and place, trusting blindly 20 n
downward course The hurricane
still harried them with undated fury,
when all at once they came TO another
bluh where the ground fell away
abruptly. Without waiting to invesu-
gate whether the slope terminated In
drift or precipace. they flung them
selves over. Down they houndered.
tho two naIr EeennSsihle me- tangIed to-
gether as II in a race FOR total oblivion,
only to plunge through q thicket Of
willow tops that whipped and stung
them. On they went. now vastly heart
ened. over another ridge, down an
other declivity, and then into a grove
OF spruce timber, where the air sud
denly stilled. and only the treetops told
Of the rushing wind above.
II was well nigh an hour before Bait
and Emerson succeeded in starting a
fire, for II was desperate work cropping
for dry branches. and they themselves
were on the verge or collapse before
the timid blaze finally showed the
two more unfortunate ones huddled to-
gether.
Cherry had given Emerson a flask
OF liquor before starting. and this he
now divided between Fraser and the
| guide. having wisely refused It to
them until shelter was secured Then
he melted snow IN Balt's tin cup and
poured pints Of hot water into the pair
until the adventurer began to rally,
| but the Aleut was too far gone, and
| an hour before the laggard dawn came
he died
The day was well spent when they
struggled into Katmai and plodded mp
4, 90 a half rotted log store. A globular
4 quarter breed Russian trader took them
in and administered to their most cry
| ing needs
4 Az soon as Emerson was able 20
talk he inquired concerning the mail
| boat
"She called here three days ago,
bound west" said the trader.
1 That's all right She'll be back IN
| about a week. ehf"
-She won't stop coming back"
~whatr' Emerson felt himself sick.