The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1910-10-02

erson. WHY don't we get under N(y?"
But the other replied:
Not today. Them tips are Smok-
ing. see!" He Indicated certain gauzy
streamers that foated like vapor from
the highest pinnacles. That's snow.
dry snow. and it shows that tho wind
is blowing up there. We dassent tackle
it."
DO you mean We must lie here walt
ing for an absolutely calm dayT
Exactly"
why. it may be a weekr
ut may be two Of them; then. again.
1t may be all right tomorrow"
Nonsense! That breeze won't hurt
anybody"
"Breezew Bait laughed. ITS moro
like a tornado up yonder No: we've
just got to take It easy till tho 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 limned like clean cut ivory
crept up through the def1les the air
was so motionless that the smoke Of
their pipes hung about their heads.
while the creak of their soles upon
the dry surface Of the snow reused
echoes from the walls on 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 q
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 Q
shake Of his head. The native began
to chatter excitedly, and as they
stood there a chill draft famed their
cheeks. Little wisps of snow vapor
began to dance upon the ridges. whisk
ing out of sight as suddenly Al they
appeared. They became conscious of
a sudden fall in the temperature and
they knew that the cold Of interstellar
space dwelt in that ghostly breath
which smote them. Before they were
we'll aware of the ominous signifi-
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 un-
leashed its brood Of furies. and the
air rang with their hideous cries.
There was no question Of facing the
wind. for 1t was more cruel than the
fierce breath Of an open furnace scar
ing the flesh like a fame.
All the morning the air had hung
in perfect poise. but some change Of
temperature away out over one Of the
rival oceans had upset the aerostattc
balance. and the wind tore through
this gap like the torrent below . bro
ken reservoir.
Bait came close to Emerson and bel.
lowed into his ear:
What shall we do? Roll up in the
bedding or run for it2'
How far is it to timberT'
Twelve or fifteen miles"
Lets run for It! We're out Of
grub. anyhow. and this may last for
days"
There was no use Of trying to secure
additional clothing from the supply in
the sled, so they abandoned their out
fit and allowed themselves to be driven
ahead of the storm. trusting to the
natives sense Of direction and keeping
close together. The dogs were already
we'll drifted over and refused to stir.
Once they had gone a 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 to avoid; they crossed slippery
slopes where the storm had barred the
hard crust and which their feet re-
fused to grip. In such places they
had to creep on hands and knees, call
ing to one another for guidance. They
were numbed. blinded. choked by the
rage Of the blizzard; their faces grew
stiff and their lungs froze. At times
they fell and were skidded along
ahead Of the blasts. This forced them
to 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 a rule no Indian II
the equal Of his white brother. due a.
much perhaps to lack Of mental force
as to generation Of insufficient cloth
ing and inanition, SO 1t was not sur
prising that as the long afternoon
lac Svppfd a he