River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-01-13


region of frozen silence Davidson was unable to walk
ne was a pig man and his weight proved burden to
Inc aogs' For two days they went slowly. On the
evening OF the second day they made their fire
and started to brew tea The bottom fell out of
the pot and 1t could not be fixed was the only vessel
of any kind that they had with them In it they had
heated their pemmican stepped their tea That acct
dent apparently trifing in ITSELF those felt
might mean their death. From that time they ate
frozen food and had warming beverage
On on they went and at last there came realizing
sense that they were lost There food left which
could be spared to keep the strength of the dogs
Vincent LED two OF the creatures killed them
that they might food for the two remaining anil
mails. Both weak to the point of exhaustion.
Vincent kept his good cheer and rallied his patient
by his hopefulness Then he into the harness. TAX
ing the place of the animals that he had san used
his remaining strength to help drag the sledge onward.
The two remaining dogs gave out There would have
been the backness of despair had it not been for
thing in the spirit of those two that made them
light.
Doctor" said Davidson you can't drag me further
There is why both of should die. Unen-
numbered perhaps make way to the old
camp Try it,"
Vincent's the fitting of the harness
his shoulders once and the trudging onward drag
gng the sedge with its weakened burden behind him.
Doctor" said Davidson more, you'd better co.
Vincent turned with sort of half smile Davidson
he said, "its barely possible matter between
men, might find it in my heart desert you and leave
you here to die You must remember however that
doctor and you're my patient and it would be I'M
ethical to the last degree for to and leave
you, so I'm afraid you'll have put up with me-
horror of the awful stiffness. Finally the end at
Vincent tottering and Davidson, weakened
the result of the operation he had undergone coupled
with exposure and lack of food, practically in
faintng condition. The sledge had been brought to
point which swept away for mile gentle
decvity. smooth with and ice Vincent sat down
the edge of the sledge.
"Old fellow he said "Tm sorry, but I'm afraid it's
almost up with me- Then he turned away his head but
in a his feet Far down to the right Of
the sloping plain he grimooking rock which held
his gaze Then he turned to Davidson again. 81 don't
any false hopes he said, "but that rock
looks like one not far from the place where
the natives 1t is like thousand others and prob
ably am wrong but God knows it's our last hope.
can't drag you further but I'll not leave Well go
together. We slide down this declivty with our
sledge We may go into crevasse, you know, and
that means death, but it's death anyway unless when
we pass that rock huts beyond and to the
right"
Then those kissed each other, but spoke not
a word.
Vincent his last remaining strength to start the
sledge. 1t went slowly with its momentum down
the barely percepble incline. Occasionally the acceF
Grated speed would checked by smooth bow of ice
over which they rode smoothly They approaching
the rock which Vincent had looked familiar. They
up it. On what the first look around the
rock should reveal the physician knew meant life
death. He turned and looked at his comrade David
eyes closed tight in the agony between the