Year: 1869

There was no braver guide, or more
skillful hunter, that ever set foot upon the
Matterhorn, or crawled over the danger
Gus glaciers of Monte Rosa, than Uric
Peterson. He was a man of immense
strength and great daring; and had often
tracked the wilderness of snow when
those who followed the same calling will
lingly remained In their cottages in the
well-protected villages He laughed at
his companions, when they talked of dan
ger and made light of the fears of his
good wife, when she trembled at the howl
ing of the fierce winds, or the avalanche
of snow, that now and then swept down,
with irresistible force, upon the little
chalets. With wellspiked shoes, q stout
alpenstock, confidence in himself, and
firm and fervent trust in God, he avowed
that a man was as safe upon the topmost
cliffs of the cloud piercing Matterhorn, as
in the brook-threaded valley of Tourman-
ches. But the timid heart of womanhood
could not look upon the matter in the
same light, although her trust in the good
Lord was equally strong; and so, when
she saw him take down his trusty rife,
powder-horn and heavily-shod iron staff,
one morning, she clung to him, and
begged that he would not go upon the
mountains "There is every sign of
storm" she said. "You know how terri
BILE they are. We have food enough in
the cottage. Do stay at home with the
little ones"


"That would !, wife" was the reply, "if
/ had not seen an ibex as l was coming
home yesterday evening. He was stout
old fellow, with huge horns; and fancied
he was almost laughing at me, as crept
around the cliff upon which he was stand
ing.":


"But, Uric, think of the storm that is
certainly coming"


"I have been in many an one, and care
nothing for them l love the free whis-
Ting of the wind upon the mountain-tops,
and the whirling of the feathery snow.
SO, good wife, get me something to eat.
l must be off before the day dawns."


With heavy sigh, the woman did as
he had requested; and with his fond kiss
still lingering upon her lips, she saw him
climb the mountain-side until turn in
the path hid him from her view. Then
she sunk upon her knees, by the bedside
of her still slumbering children, and COM
mitted him into the keeping of that God
who had thus far preserved him in the
midst of every danger. Meantime, Uric
hastened onward with a light foot. 1t was
still dark in the valley; but far above
him, he could see the white peaks glitter
ing In the dim light of the morning, and
the fast paling stars. Higher and higher
he climbed and soon the sun arose, she'd
dins its rays of rosy gold upon the icy
piles, and making them flash as if builded
of myriad diamonds To stranger it
would have been dazzling sight, to the
brave hunter, it had lost something of its
charm by familiarity, and he pressed on
ward and upward, The road grew more
all II .l.l.
pick his way, to Chamber up steep crags I;
but at last he reached the edge of large
glacier. He sat down and rested for
little time, satisfied his hunger, examined
his shoes and the point of his alpenstock,
and again set brayely forth, leaping the
yawning chasms, and guarding against
the treacherous cracks.


A wall of polished ice arose before him,
and he knew that he would have to scale
it, before he could get within shot of the
coveted game. With great difficulty, it
was accomplished; and, finding the tracks
of the ibex, he followed them, until, sud
denly turning ragged point, he found
himself within easy shot, and in an in
stant, the repOrt of his rifle had awakened
the echoes of the mountains. With the
"thud" of the bullet, the beast sprang for
ward but its tail was dropped, its head
hanging heavily down, its gait slow, and
step uncertain. He knew that the Whizz.
ing lead had reached its mark that the
animal would soon die and he paused to
reload his rifle, before he followed him.
~ will surprise my good wife" he thought,
"by returning sooner than she expected !;
and l will have heartily laugh at the
towards who dared not venture from their
snug cottages for fear of q storm"


With smile upon his lips, he hastened
to where the ibex was lying, and raised it
In bis arms. Then, with cry Of horror,
ne leit his footing give way; and hunter
and game were swallowed up in a crevasse
OF almost unfathomable depth. The thin
covering OF ice had been sufficiently
strong to bear the weight of the beast I;
but that Of Uric added, had shiyered IL as
If 1t had been an eggshell.


Down, down. Hunter and ibex, through
the debris OF snow and ice, lying there for
q thousand years. He fancied that the
bottom would never be reached. The
most profound darkness enVeloped him
his hands could clutch nothing but damp,
ness-but chilling fakes. Fortunately,
the carcass of the beast was beneath him
Yet, for all that safeguard, he lay for q
long time insensible. When consciousness
returned, another day had daWned, and its
golden glories had found their way even
70 the bottom Of the yawning grave in
which he was lying. He thought upon
the utter helplessness Of his situation /;
that he must perish from cold and hunger;
of the lingering tortures he would be
forced TO endure, befors death came 70 put
an end TO his misery; and every nerve In
his body quivered with horror. He looked
around 70 see if there were not some pos
sible chance 10 escape. On either side
smooth ice walls arose, emitting blush
steel glitter. He felt that he was buried
alive 20, God Why WAS / not Instant
iy killedf" he exclaimed, in the agony OF
despair, and then, as better thoughts
swayed him. he thanked the Almighty,
with whom nothing Is impossible, for his
safety thus far, and prayed 20 Him for
guidance and deliyerance.


His next thought was Of his gun. Whea