A PERILOUS ADVENTURE.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3052, 26 November 1878, Page 4

A PERILOUS ADVENTURE.

The Berner Tageblatt gives an account of a perilous adventure which befell two English tourists at the end of last September. Mrs Wairiright, described as an English lady, accompanied by her brother-in-law, Mr Wainright, attempted the ascent of the Piz Palur, a mountain of the Berninia 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 Grasa went first, next to him followed Mr Wainright, then came Mrs Wainright, and the rear was brought up by Hans. A thick fog 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 feet, and he fell down a precipice, dragging with him in his fall the English lady and-gentlemen. But the rope was strong, and Hans Grass is a man both stout of heart and of gigantic strength. As he saw his brother disappear he drew himself instantly backward, and by sheer force 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; to stir, to yield an inch even, might be certain death to all; and they were far beyond the reach of human aid. Nothing but prompt courage and. ready wit could save them. ' 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 was alive, unhurt, and ready to help. if means of help could be deviced. 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. Fortunately Mr Waihwright had kept his axe. He handed it to Christian, and the guide set about cutting the steps as Hans had. suggested. After many difficulties and almost' superhuman i exertions he succeeded. 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 Wainwright and her brother-in-law, and all four, not seriously, the worse for their fright. ' i