A PERILOUS ADVENTURE.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 2, Issue 72, 15 February 1879, Page 3

A PERILOUS ADVENTURE.

The ljeruer Tageblatt gives an account of a perilous adventure which befell two English tourists at the end of last .September. Mrs. M'ainiight, described as an English lady accompanied by her brother-in-law, Mr. Wain right, attempted the ascent of the I'iz Palur, a mountain of.tbe Bcrnina group. They took with them two guides, brothers—Hans Grass and Christian Grass, The climbers, who were, corded together, after leaving the central peak. took, a westerly direction towards another peak. Christian Grass went first, next to him -followed Mr. Wainright, then came Mrs. Wuinright, and the rear was brought up by Hans. A. thick log came on. Christian, either confused by the semi-obscurity or not exercising sufficient caution, went too near an arete (snow edge.) when the snow suddenly gave way under his foot, and be fell down a precipice, dragging W-tii ! n: !3J hs f-V' tl-r. I lf ri ii:h lad- ai: 1 gentleman. Bui the rope was strong, and Hans Gross is a man both stout of heart and oi gigantic strength. As he saw his brothel- disappear he drew himself instantly backward, and by sheer forco of muscle and will held the three lost ones suspended in the'air. Nevertheless the position was a sufficiently terrible one. Strong as he was, he was not strong enough to drag from the abyss two men and a woman ; bo stir, to yield an inch even might be certain death to all ; ami they were far beyond the reach of human aid. Nothing but prompt courage and ready wit could save them lb- shouted to his brother, dangling at the cud ( f the rope, ice on both 'sides of him. snow above him. The brother answered; he was alive, unhurt, and i-eadv to help it mean-, of help could be devised. Hans told him to cling to tinicy slope, out 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, l-'oitunately Mr. Wainright had kept, his axe. Me handed it to Christian, and the guide set about, cutting the steps as Hans suggested. After many ditiicultics and almost superhuman exertions he .succeeded. He connived to -crawl up to the edge of the crevasse ; his brother gave him a hand ; then the two uniting their strength pulled up Mrs. Wainright and her brother-in-law, and all four, not seriously the worse for their freight.