Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 November 1878 — Thrilling Adventure. [ARTICLE]

Thrilling Adventure.

There is one English lady who has had enough of Alpine climbing. Mrs. Wainwright and her brother-in-law undertook a month ago the ascent of the Piz Palur, a mountain of the Bernina group. They took xvith them two guides, brothers —Haus Grass and Christian Grass. The climbers xx’ere corded together. Christian Grass went first, ne*t to him came Mr. "Wainxvright, then came Mrs. Wainxvright, and the rear was brought up by Hans. A thick fog came on. Christian went too near an edge, when the snow suddenly gax’e way under his feet, and he fell doxvn a precipice, dragging with him in his fall the English lady and gentleman. But the rope xvas strong, and Hans Grass was a man of gigantic strength. As he saw his brother disappear he threw himself instinctively backward, and, by sheer force of muscle and will, held the three lost ones suspended in the air. He was not strong enough to drag from the abyss two men and a woman. To stir, to yield an inch even, might be certain death to all—and they were far beyond the reach of human aid. He shouted to his brother, dangling at the end of the rope, ice on both sides of him, snow above him. The brother answered ; he xvas alive, unhurt, and ready to help if means could be devised. Hans told him to cling to the icy slope’ cut steps in it and mount, and be quick about it, for he did not think he could hold on more than half an hour longer. Mr. Wainwright had kept his ax. He handed it to Christian, and the guide set about cutting the steps as Hans had suggested. After almost superhuman exertions, he contrived to crawl up to the edge of the crevasse; his brother gave him a hand; then the two, uniting their strength, pulled up Mrs. Wainxvright and her brother-in-laxv.