Page:Enterprise and Adventure.djvu/16

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and danger of such a journey was felt by all; but the unfortunate garrison had faith in their young leader, and finally, taking with them what little relics of property had been spared by the fire, they set out to cross the lake. Cold fogs hovered over the dismal scene, the sky was heavy, and, to add to their misery, a blinding snow-storm overtook them, making it very difficult to maintain their way, though guided by the compass which they had fortunately got with them. For food on this wearisome journey they had nothing but a solitary bag of meal, which was served out in handfuls and eaten raw. They had scarcely proceeded more than ten or twelve miles, when a boy who was one of the party was found to be too much exhausted to walk further. Every one of the sailors declared that they were unable to carry him, as they were so benumbed by the cold, that they had scarcely strength sufficient to support themselves. It was at this time that the first snow began to fall, and Clapperton's generous nature could not bear the idea of the boy being left to perish under these circumstances. He therefore, though himself exceedingly weak and faint, took the boy upon his back, holding him with his left hand, while supporting himself from slipping on the rugged surface of the frozen waters with a staff in his right. Thus the mournful and silent procession moved on, getting no rest, for they feared to lie down. Meanwhile, the good Clapperton, sheltering his young companion from the cold as well as he could, manfully supported him, till, to his great grief, he felt the lad's hold relax, and found that he was dying from the cold, from which he afterwards expired. The sufferings of the whole