OCR Text |
Show 118 TEAVELS AND ADVENTUEES IN THE FAE WEST. Mr. Fuller was the strongest and largest man in camp when we left Westport, and appeared much better able to bear the hardships of the journey than any man in it. I was the weakest, and thought ten days before that I would have given out, yet I live to write this history of his sufferings and death, and to pay this tribute to his memory. The main body of the camp had preceded us, and they were at least four miles a-head. Both Mr. Egloffstien and myself offered our personal assistance; Mr. Fuller leaned upon us, but could not drag one foot after the other-his legs suddenly becoming paralyzed. When we realized his condition, we determined to remain with him; to this he decidedly objected-"Go on to camp," said he, " and if possible, send me assistance. Vou can do me no good by remaining, for if you do not reach camp before night, we shall all freeze to death." He luckily had strapped to his back his blue blankets, which we carefully wrapped around him. In vain we hunted for an old bush or something with which to make a fire-nothing but one vast wilderness of snow was visible. Bidding him an affectionate farewell, and promising to return, we told him not to move off the trail, and to keep awake if possible. Limping forward, Egloffstien and myself resumed our travel; the sun had passed the meridian, and dark clouds overhung us. The night advanced apace, and with it an increase of cold. We Stopped often on the road, and with difficulty ascended a high hill, over which the trail led ; from its summit I hoped to see our camp-fires; my vision was strained to the utmost, but no friendly smoke greeted my longing eyes. The trail lost itself in the dim distance, and a long and weary travel was before |