Evening star., 1953-06-26

movement without upsetting the
others, and the positions we had
taken up with such care were
continually being altered so that
we had to start all over again.
This kept us busy.
Felt No Pain.
Terray generously tried to give
me part of his sleeping bag. He
had understood the seriousness
of my condition, and knew why
it was that I said nothing and
remained quite passive; he real
lied that had abandoned all
hope for myself.
He massaged me for nearly
two hours: his feet, too. might
have frozen, but he didn't ap-
pear to give the matter a
thought. I found new courage
simply in contemplating his un-
selfishness; he was doing so
much to help me that it would
have been ungrateful of me not
to go on struggling to live.
Though my heart was like a
lump of ice itself, I was aston
ished to feel no pain. Every
thing material about me seemed
to have dropped away. I seemed
to be quite clear in my thoughts
and yet I floated in a kind Of
peaceful happiness.
There was still a breath Of life
in me, but it dwindled steadily
as the hours went by. Terray's
massage no longer had any effect
upon me. All was over. I
thought. Wasn't this cavern the
most beautiful grave I could hope
for? Death caused me no grief,
no regret-I smiled at the
thought.
After hours of torpor a voice
mumbled, Daylight"
This made some impression on
the others. I only felt surprised
Il had not thought that day.
light would penetrate so far
down.
Thoughts of Death.
Terray was close to me and I
whispered:
Lionel I'm dying!"
He supported me and helped
me away from the crevasse.
Lachenal and Rebuffat were sit
ting in the snow a few yards
away. The instant Lionel let go
of me I sank down and dragged
myself along on all fours.
The weather was perfect.
Quantities of snow had fallen
the day before and the noun
tains were resplendent. Never
had I seen them look so beauti-
ful-our last day would be mag
nificent. =
Rebuffat and Terray were
completely blind; as he came
along with me, Terray knocked
into things and I had to direct
him. Rebuffat. too, could not
move a step without guidance.
It was terrifying to be blind
when there was danger all
around. Lachenal's frozen feet
affected his nervous system. His
behavior was diSquieting - he
was possessed by the most fan
tastic ideas.
Leave Me Behind!"
I knew the end was near, but
it was the end that all noun
taineers wish for-an end in
keeping with their ruling passion.
I was consciously grateful to
the mountains for being so beau
tiful for me that day, and as
awed by their silence as if I had
been in church. I was in no
pain, and had no worry. My
utter calmness was alarming.
Terray came staggering to-
ward me, and I told him: cts
all over for me. Go on you
have a chance you must take
it over to the left that's
the way"
I felt better after telling him
that. But Terray would have
none of it: "Well help you. If
we get away, so will you"
At this moment Lachenal
shouted: Help! Help!"
Obviously he didn't know what
he was doing. Or did he?
He was the only one of the four
of us who could see Camp II
down below. Perhaps his calls
would be heard. They were
shriekS of despair. reminding me
tragically of some climbers lost
in. the Mont Blanc massif whom
I had endeavored to save. Now
it was our turn. The impression
was vivid: We were lost.
Body Has No Feeling.
I joined in with the others:
zone :. two three Help!
One two >. three . Help!"
We tried to shout together, but
without much success: our voices
could not have carried more
than 10 feet. The noise made
was more Of a whisper than a
shout.
The others discussed which
way to go.
I remained sitting in the snow.
Gradually my mind lost grip
why should I struggle? I would
just let myself drift. I saw pic
lures of shady slopes. peaceful
paths, there was a scent of resin.
It was pleasant was going to
20 yards-10 yards-he came
straight toward me. Why?
Without word he leaned over
me, held me close, Rugged me.
die in my own mountains My
body had no feeling verything