DEATH IN THE SNOW.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 209, 3 September 1900, Page 5

DEATH IN THE SNOW.

(By Cable.—Press Association.)

(Copyright.)

HOBART, this day.

A search party, after enduring great hardships, found Larkin's body in the snow, which was so heavy they were compelled to bury the body on the mountain.

Particulars received of the experiences of the unfortunate man Larkins and his mates on Mount Arrowsmith, show that during the night they spent on the mountain (Friday night), the cold affected the three men so terribly that blood oozed from their faces and hands. They resumed their journey at daylight, having five miles to go to the iron store. They had not gone far when Larkins, with a feeble cry, dropped dead in the snow. His mates struggled onwards, but the five miles was so difficult of accomplishment that it was midday on Tuesday before Ebdon arrived at the iron store.

Hannay frequently urged Ebdon to leave him and save himself, but Ebdon refused to do so. He ••■cheered his feebler- comrade on, but at length both men gave up the struggle and lay down to die. together. The love of life returned to them, however, and they made another try. They were not lost, for they had. the telegraph line to guide them, but for two days they Avere without food. Hannay *s feet became so sore that he took off his boots, and his feet immediately swelled to an abnormal size, so that he could not get on his boots again, and had to walk the remainder of the way through the snow with bare feet. In the earlier stages of their terrible struggle Hannay had led the way, doing,the fatiguing work of breaking the trade for Ebdon. Sometimes great heaps of snow rolled on them from the rear and buried them. When only two miles from the iron store Hannay was obliged to give in, but Edbon went on and, reaching the store, .sertt help to him. Left alone Hannay became delirious. At. one o'clock on Wednesday the rescue, party found him. He had sunk deep into the snow, and although hei-iheard the rescuers cooeing for him he was unable to answer. He had suffered terribly from thirst. It is feared that he will lose one foot and several fingers, SO badly have, they been frost bitten. Ebdon's feet are still in a terrible condition, but it is considered likely he, will completely. i*ecover. *

On Friday night the two survivors rode on to the Dee, whence they were sent in a covered cart to the Ouse en route to Hobart.