Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1910-11-15
Observation-Disclosures
y ARPER T. BROTHERS

But the other replied:
Not today. Them tips are smok-
ing. see" He indicated certain gauzy
streamers that hoated like vapor from
the highest pinnacles. That's snow.
dry snow. aud it shows that the wind
is blowing Up there. We dasscnt tackle
it."
do you mean we must lie here walt
ing for an absolutely calm day%'
Exactly"
"Why. it may be a week"
ut may he two Of them: then. again.
1t may be al right tomorrow"
Nonsense. That breeze won't hurt
anybody"
Breeze" Bait laughed. "It's more
like tornado up yOnder No: we've
just got to take 1t easy till the right
moment comes and then make a dash.
It's thirty miles to the nearest stick
Of timber. and once you get into the
pass you can't stop till you're through"
The next dawn showed the mountain
peaks limncd like clean cut ivory
against the steel blue sky. and as they
crept up through the detiles the air
was SO motionless that the smoke Of
their pipes hung about their heads.
while the creak of their soIeS upon
the dry surface of the snow reused
echoes from the walls Oh either side
AT first their progress was rapid. but
in time the drifts grew deeper and
they came to bluffs where they were
forced to notch footholds. unpack their
load and relay it to the top. then free
the dogs and haul the sled up with
rope hand over hand.
1t was early in the afternoon when
the Indian stopped and began test
Ing the air.
Feels like wind" said Bait. with a
shake Of his bead. The native began
to chatter excitedly, and as they
stood there a chill draft famed their
Little wisps Of snow vapor
began to dance upon the ridges. whisk-
ng out Of sight as suddenly as they
appeared. They became conscious of
4 sudden fall in the temperature and
hey knew that the cold Of interstellar
space dwelt in that ghostly breath
which smote them. Before they were
we'll aware of the ominous signiti-
'ance Of these signs the storm was
lpon them. sweeping through the
'hute wherein they stood with rapidly
Increasing violence The terrible un-
een hand Of the frozen north had I'M
eashed its brood Of furies. and the
ir rang with their hideous cries.
There was no question Of facing the
Wind. for it was more cruel than the
ierce breath Of an open furnace scar
ng the flesh like fame
All the morning the air had hung
q perfect poise. but some change Of
away out over one of the
ival oceans had upset the aerostatic
alance. and the wind tore through
his gap Ike the torrent below a bro
en- reservoir.
Bait came close to Emerson and bel
owed into his ear:
What shall we do? Roll up in the
eddlnS or run Tor !!
How far is it to timber?"
Twelve or fifteen miles,"
Let's run for it: We're out of
rub. anyhow. and this may last for
ays."
There was no use of trying to secure
dditional clothing from the supply in
le sled. SO they abandoned their out
aud allowed themselves to be driven
bead Of the storm. trusting to the
ltive's sense Of direction and keeping
Ose together. The dogs were already
ell drifted over and refused to stir.
Once they had gone Il stones throw
ON the sled there was no turning
lex. and. although the wind was be-
nd them. progress was difficult, for
ey came upon chusms which they
I'd to avoid: they crossed slippery
opes where the storm had barred the
lrd crust and which their feet re-
sed to grip. In such places they
ID to creep on hands and knees, call.
s to one another for guidance. They
ere numbed. blinded. choked by the
&c of the blizzard: their faces grew
iff and their lungs froZe. At times
ey fell and were skidded along .
lead Of the blasts. This forced them |
crawl back again. for they dared
It lose their course.
Much has been written concerning
G red mans physical powers of en- S
rance. but as Il rule no Indian is
e equal of his white brother. due as s
UGH perhaps to lack Of mental force +
to generations Of insufficient cloth q
: and inanition. so ii was not sur
Using that as the long afternoon /
jagged to n close the Aleut guide be- g
II to weaken. Il
Darkness found them staggering on. v
pporting him wherever possible. At \
18th he became unable to guide them
rther. and Bait. who had once made f
, trip. took his place. while the 9TH
J dragged the poor creature along ut j.
. cost Of their precious strength. p
they had long since lost all track Of d
NJ and place. trusting hiilniiy to & L