WEBVTT 1 00:00:02.040 --> 00:00:06.040 Tired from a strenuous weekend spring fever. Give you the wanderlust, 2 00:00:06.559 --> 00:00:10.279 want to get away from it all? We offer you escape. 3 00:00:22.440 --> 00:00:25.120 You are hanging by your fingertips on the sheer face 4 00:00:25.160 --> 00:00:29.960 of a nice cliff, suspended one thousand feet above instant death, 5 00:00:30.719 --> 00:00:43.439 with your strength running out and with no chance for escape. 6 00:00:44.600 --> 00:00:47.479 Escape designed to free you from the four walls of 7 00:00:47.479 --> 00:00:50.039 today for a half hour of high adventure. 8 00:00:55.479 --> 00:00:59.520 Tonight, we escape to the cold, loneliness of a glacier 9 00:00:59.640 --> 00:01:02.920 high and Swiss Alps, and to a man who learned 10 00:01:03.000 --> 00:01:07.079 much about death, As told in C. E. Montague's Grim 11 00:01:07.159 --> 00:01:09.040 Story Action. 12 00:01:24.840 --> 00:01:24.879 I. 13 00:01:25.159 --> 00:01:30.159 In the Swiss Alps, well above twelve thousand feet, a 14 00:01:30.239 --> 00:01:33.480 man clings with desperation to the frozen glass wall of 15 00:01:33.519 --> 00:01:37.959 the Challioch Glacier, hands and feet jammed into shallow steps 16 00:01:38.040 --> 00:01:42.480 chopped an iron hard ice. A cold wind drives a 17 00:01:42.519 --> 00:01:46.519 spray of dusty sleet along the overhanging wall, and the 18 00:01:46.560 --> 00:01:49.159 sun has fallen away among the crags to the west. 19 00:01:50.359 --> 00:01:54.319 Darkness lies one hour ahead. The man has climbed with 20 00:01:54.400 --> 00:01:57.840 painful care, a thousand feet up the glacier's face. From 21 00:01:57.840 --> 00:02:00.959 the broken moraine at the foot is moved now on 22 00:02:01.079 --> 00:02:04.079 to the underside of a great bulge in the ice, 23 00:02:04.879 --> 00:02:07.719 a part of the wall which breaks out beyond the perpendicular, 24 00:02:08.599 --> 00:02:10.879 and the man is forced to hang from slots cut 25 00:02:10.879 --> 00:02:13.159 by his axe, much as a sloth hangs from a 26 00:02:13.159 --> 00:02:17.759 tree branch. Twelve more feet lie between. 27 00:02:17.439 --> 00:02:19.400 Him and the brow of the overhang. 28 00:02:20.000 --> 00:02:23.199 Six more steps to be chopped out with the axe, 29 00:02:24.280 --> 00:02:28.360 and a thousand feet of void space waits beneath him. 30 00:02:29.000 --> 00:02:31.080 A man is unable to lift his heavy axe for 31 00:02:31.120 --> 00:02:35.520 even one more stroke. He's tired, and he's fifty two 32 00:02:35.599 --> 00:02:39.960 years old. No experienced mountaineer would ever attempt the west 33 00:02:40.000 --> 00:02:43.719 face of the Chaiyotte Glacier. And yet this man is 34 00:02:43.879 --> 00:02:51.159 an experienced mountaineer. But why why? What strange events have 35 00:02:51.280 --> 00:02:53.879 conspired to bring him along the path of his life 36 00:02:54.319 --> 00:02:56.560 and leave him hanging now in peril on the brink 37 00:02:56.599 --> 00:03:01.840 of eternity? Through What shadows has that path led him? 38 00:03:02.120 --> 00:03:05.479 And where are those who saw him pass? Can we 39 00:03:05.560 --> 00:03:09.560 ourselves move back along it? Move back, step by step 40 00:03:09.599 --> 00:03:13.759 against the river of time, move backward along. 41 00:03:13.479 --> 00:03:29.240 The life path of Christopher Belle. My name is Jean Valjele, 42 00:03:30.000 --> 00:03:31.840 and I am a guide for all the mountain trails 43 00:03:31.840 --> 00:03:34.919 on the vice and the shelley arm. I talked with 44 00:03:34.919 --> 00:03:37.120 mister Bell this morning as he was leaving the village, 45 00:03:37.560 --> 00:03:39.439 though of course at the time I did not know 46 00:03:39.520 --> 00:03:40.319 that was his name. 47 00:03:41.360 --> 00:03:42.879 The season is over, you understand. 48 00:03:42.960 --> 00:03:46.199 Winter will come in another week or two, and most 49 00:03:46.240 --> 00:03:49.000 all the visitors are gone, so you see, I was 50 00:03:49.159 --> 00:03:51.319 very surprised to hear a stranger call out to me 51 00:03:51.360 --> 00:03:55.719 in English. I mean a good morning, sir, Good morning. 52 00:03:56.639 --> 00:03:58.120 I'm glad to see there's at least one of the 53 00:03:58.120 --> 00:04:00.840 early riser in the village. Besides myself, only. 54 00:04:00.639 --> 00:04:02.120 A few people out left in the village. 55 00:04:02.159 --> 00:04:05.439 Sir. It is the end of summer. The end of summer. 56 00:04:06.560 --> 00:04:08.960 Oh well, I know it. By the way, which are 57 00:04:09.039 --> 00:04:10.800 these paths? Takes me to the foot of the sholier, 58 00:04:11.560 --> 00:04:13.800 the one on the left. But you will find no 59 00:04:13.960 --> 00:04:17.199 climbing there, sir. One arrives very soon at the glacier 60 00:04:17.279 --> 00:04:20.360 and can go no farther, except of course, to climb 61 00:04:20.439 --> 00:04:21.399 up it glacier. 62 00:04:22.120 --> 00:04:24.000 That is impossible. It has never been. 63 00:04:23.839 --> 00:04:26.800 Done, of course, it's never been tried. Well, there is 64 00:04:26.839 --> 00:04:29.639 not anyone who would be so foolish. It isn't that 65 00:04:29.800 --> 00:04:32.480 there are plenty of foolish people in the world, but 66 00:04:32.600 --> 00:04:35.600 even they hold on to their margin of safety. Margin 67 00:04:35.680 --> 00:04:39.120 of safety, yes, the difference between the point where a 68 00:04:39.120 --> 00:04:41.319 man thinks he's reached his limit and the point where 69 00:04:41.360 --> 00:04:42.399 the limit rarely is. 70 00:04:44.319 --> 00:04:46.600 I mean, I'm afraid I do not understand. 71 00:04:46.160 --> 00:04:47.439 This all right. 72 00:04:47.959 --> 00:04:50.439 I'll take a mountain air such as yourself. Now, you 73 00:04:50.439 --> 00:04:52.920 look at a slope, you estimate the effort needed to 74 00:04:52.920 --> 00:04:56.040 climb it. Then you estimate your own endurance. And if 75 00:04:56.040 --> 00:04:58.720 there isn't a good sized safety factor, you just don't 76 00:04:58.800 --> 00:04:59.639 make the climb. 77 00:04:59.720 --> 00:05:01.600 But it would be foolish not to do so. 78 00:05:02.079 --> 00:05:06.199 I say, it's all tied up in the fear of death. HM. 79 00:05:07.199 --> 00:05:09.360 Take that out of a man for one instant. There's 80 00:05:09.399 --> 00:05:11.439 no telling what he might be able to do, what 81 00:05:11.560 --> 00:05:15.040 blimity might reach. And how should a man lose that feel? 82 00:05:15.639 --> 00:05:16.120 He can't. 83 00:05:16.959 --> 00:05:17.639 He can't lose. 84 00:05:17.680 --> 00:05:22.879 It has to be done for him by by things outside. 85 00:05:27.839 --> 00:05:29.000 He turned and left me. 86 00:05:29.079 --> 00:05:32.199 Then this, this mister Bell walked up the path toward 87 00:05:32.199 --> 00:05:34.720 the glacier, And that was early this morning, and I 88 00:05:34.759 --> 00:05:37.519 did not see him again. His talk with me made 89 00:05:37.519 --> 00:05:39.800 no sense, and I could not understand what he meant 90 00:05:39.839 --> 00:05:41.959 to do or why he was going to do it. 91 00:05:42.720 --> 00:05:46.800 I remember thinking, Ah, what a strange man. But I 92 00:05:46.839 --> 00:05:50.199 know really nothing more about him. I believe he arrived 93 00:05:50.199 --> 00:05:52.480 in the village only last night and took a room 94 00:05:52.519 --> 00:05:53.240 in the xenial. 95 00:05:53.399 --> 00:06:02.439 Even Ah, my. 96 00:06:02.600 --> 00:06:05.759 Name is greater than Gospar. And I'm staying out the 97 00:06:05.759 --> 00:06:07.720 week here in Zennaw to close up the inn for 98 00:06:07.759 --> 00:06:11.120 the winter. I have known mister Bell for the last 99 00:06:11.240 --> 00:06:15.279 thirty years, always before he came in a summer season 100 00:06:15.319 --> 00:06:18.160 for the climbing, and I was most surprised when you 101 00:06:18.279 --> 00:06:21.879 arrived last night. I opened one of the rooms and 102 00:06:22.319 --> 00:06:26.199 found something for him to eat, and then later we 103 00:06:26.279 --> 00:06:28.600 sat and talked in front of the fire in a 104 00:06:28.639 --> 00:06:30.519 big empty lounge. 105 00:06:31.839 --> 00:06:34.319 This is very good coffee, Madame Gaspar. 106 00:06:34.560 --> 00:06:35.959 Oh, thank you, mister Bell. 107 00:06:36.560 --> 00:06:39.079 Had you let me know, I would have had everything 108 00:06:39.160 --> 00:06:42.879 ready for you, just like all the other times, Like. 109 00:06:42.879 --> 00:06:47.480 All other times. Eh, this one's a little different, Madame Gaspar. 110 00:06:48.759 --> 00:06:51.240 You might call it a special visit. Ah. 111 00:06:52.519 --> 00:06:55.839 It is all so different now from the old days. 112 00:06:56.319 --> 00:06:59.199 Then it was you and your madam would come here, 113 00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:03.920 and it was Gousper and I and the summer seemed 114 00:07:03.959 --> 00:07:04.839 to last forever. 115 00:07:06.240 --> 00:07:09.240 I thought everything would be forever. When she was alive. 116 00:07:10.560 --> 00:07:10.720 Now. 117 00:07:10.759 --> 00:07:11.879 I am rarely alone in. 118 00:07:11.839 --> 00:07:15.759 The world as I am, and it is not good 119 00:07:15.800 --> 00:07:16.480 to be alone. 120 00:07:17.120 --> 00:07:19.160 It gives one little reason for living. 121 00:07:19.800 --> 00:07:22.199 And it makes one no longer afraid of dying. 122 00:07:22.560 --> 00:07:25.199 Yes, but there are stronger reasons for that than just 123 00:07:25.959 --> 00:07:26.680 being alone. 124 00:07:28.040 --> 00:07:34.920 Mister Bell, you look so strange. Is there something troubling you? 125 00:07:35.560 --> 00:07:39.120 I know, not now. Oh there may have been, but 126 00:07:40.000 --> 00:07:40.439 not now. 127 00:07:41.839 --> 00:07:43.480 Well. I shall be leaving quite early in the morning 128 00:07:43.560 --> 00:07:46.480 for a climb, so I think. 129 00:07:46.360 --> 00:07:49.160 I'll go on to bed. Good night, Madame Caspar. 130 00:07:51.639 --> 00:07:55.920 Mister Gosper left the inn this morning before I wakened 131 00:07:57.120 --> 00:07:58.399 and have not seen him again. 132 00:08:00.199 --> 00:08:02.279 I have never known him to act so strange before. 133 00:08:03.800 --> 00:08:06.319 I have no idea what the reason is or what 134 00:08:06.399 --> 00:08:09.920 he may be planning to do, but I'm sure something 135 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:14.959 is troubling him. Perhaps it may be something connected with 136 00:08:15.040 --> 00:08:16.680 his business back in London. 137 00:08:24.240 --> 00:08:27.279 My name is Matthew Bruff. I have been chief clerk 138 00:08:27.279 --> 00:08:30.000 and mister Belt's run in office over the past twenty 139 00:08:30.040 --> 00:08:33.600 five years. I've always found him to be a considerate, 140 00:08:33.639 --> 00:08:38.519 independable employer. I've never noticed anything you might call unusual 141 00:08:38.600 --> 00:08:43.320 about him until one day, about three weeks ago, mister 142 00:08:43.360 --> 00:08:46.759 Bell entered the establishment a bit late, as I recall, 143 00:08:47.320 --> 00:08:51.120 and passed immediately into his own office without acknowledging my 144 00:08:51.600 --> 00:08:52.679 customary greeting. 145 00:08:53.480 --> 00:08:57.919 A little while afterward, he sent for me, Well, Matthew, 146 00:08:58.519 --> 00:09:01.120 where do we go from here? I can't say that 147 00:09:01.200 --> 00:09:02.720 I follow you, mister Bell, And. 148 00:09:02.720 --> 00:09:05.559 I mean the company is on a steady footing, so 149 00:09:05.559 --> 00:09:07.399 if we use our heads at all, we don't stand 150 00:09:07.480 --> 00:09:11.279 much chance of losing anything. Our position is quite secure. 151 00:09:11.440 --> 00:09:14.159 On the other hand, we can't expect to do any 152 00:09:14.200 --> 00:09:16.960 more growing. We're through expanding from now on. 153 00:09:17.159 --> 00:09:21.120 It's just a matter of operation. Oh, most enviable conditions up, 154 00:09:21.240 --> 00:09:22.080 Who is it? 155 00:09:23.320 --> 00:09:25.799 There's nothing more to look forward to, nothing more to 156 00:09:25.919 --> 00:09:28.840 work for. So, as I said, where. 157 00:09:28.639 --> 00:09:29.480 Do we go from here? 158 00:09:31.639 --> 00:09:35.279 Matthew, I'm putting you in charge of the business, turning 159 00:09:35.279 --> 00:09:36.919 it over to you effective this week. 160 00:09:37.320 --> 00:09:39.679 Mister Bell, you can't possibly. 161 00:09:39.200 --> 00:09:42.000 Mean though, Yes, I've just decided. 162 00:09:42.159 --> 00:09:45.600 But what are you going to do? I'm taking a trip. 163 00:09:46.120 --> 00:09:49.360 I'm I'm going to Switzerland climb a mountain. 164 00:09:49.399 --> 00:09:53.039 Oh oh, well, then at least it's only temporary, just 165 00:09:53.080 --> 00:09:53.919 for whatever. 166 00:09:53.679 --> 00:09:54.559 Time you're gone. 167 00:09:54.600 --> 00:09:58.440 That's right, it's for whatever time I'm gone. Just for 168 00:09:58.519 --> 00:09:59.759 whatever time I'm gone. 169 00:10:01.960 --> 00:10:04.440 Before the end of the week, he had arranged all 170 00:10:04.440 --> 00:10:07.960 the necessary papers and had left London. I haven't heard 171 00:10:08.000 --> 00:10:11.720 a word from him since, though I'd presume he's somewhere 172 00:10:11.759 --> 00:10:16.159 in Switzerland. Actually, however, I haven't the faintest idea where 173 00:10:16.159 --> 00:10:17.080 mister Bell may be. 174 00:10:17.879 --> 00:10:28.879 Right at this moment, minutes pass on the glacier, and 175 00:10:29.000 --> 00:10:31.759 the shadows grow longer from the jagged peaks to the 176 00:10:31.799 --> 00:10:35.600 west of the Shaiof Glacier and reach out with dark 177 00:10:35.679 --> 00:10:38.320 fingers toward the man who clings to the icy wall 178 00:10:39.120 --> 00:10:41.279 while his pounding heart beats out the number of his 179 00:10:41.360 --> 00:10:45.519 time on Earth. Already those shadows have flowed into the 180 00:10:45.559 --> 00:10:50.519 awful depths below his swaying figure, blurring the sharp points 181 00:10:50.519 --> 00:10:54.279 of the tumbled rocks a thousand feet down and making 182 00:10:54.320 --> 00:10:56.720 the harsh void seem soft and inviting. 183 00:10:58.399 --> 00:11:00.080 The man's thoughts had grown. 184 00:10:59.840 --> 00:11:02.759 As unwieldy as the heavy ice axe gripped in his hand. 185 00:11:03.759 --> 00:11:07.000 He keeps trying to remember that he is Christopher Bell, 186 00:11:07.120 --> 00:11:10.759 the human being, and not a part of this free 187 00:11:10.840 --> 00:11:15.120 and empty space. Bo He knows if he stops remembering 188 00:11:15.159 --> 00:11:21.519 that he may forget all else too, and then let go. 189 00:11:28.360 --> 00:11:31.799 There's been no reason for trying to locate mister Belson's. 190 00:11:31.879 --> 00:11:34.840 Nothing of very importance has occurred during these three weeks. 191 00:11:35.480 --> 00:11:37.240 I'm sure he's quite all right. 192 00:11:38.120 --> 00:11:43.120 Only one thing still puzzles me a bit, the remarkable 193 00:11:43.279 --> 00:11:46.799 change in him on that morning three weeks ago. I 194 00:11:46.960 --> 00:11:51.000 never heard him talk like that before, and whatever the 195 00:11:51.120 --> 00:11:53.480 reason for it, I am quite sure it was something 196 00:11:53.480 --> 00:12:00.159 that had happened that morning before he came to the office. 197 00:12:05.039 --> 00:12:08.120 My name is John Hutsford, and I've been a conductor 198 00:12:08.159 --> 00:12:11.639 on the Westminster route for some fourteen years now, and 199 00:12:11.759 --> 00:12:13.919 during all that time, mister Bell has been a daily 200 00:12:13.960 --> 00:12:16.559 persenger of mine. On the early morning in band Run, 201 00:12:17.799 --> 00:12:20.360 as I recall it, the first time anything you might 202 00:12:20.440 --> 00:12:23.600 say added the way you ever happened between us was 203 00:12:23.679 --> 00:12:27.039 one morning about three weeks ago, I saw mister Bell 204 00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:29.840 waiting at the usual place, so I signaled to the 205 00:12:29.879 --> 00:12:30.679 driver to stop. 206 00:12:33.919 --> 00:12:35.840 Good morning, mister Bell, Good morning. 207 00:12:36.440 --> 00:12:37.240 I'll be right there. 208 00:12:37.559 --> 00:12:40.039 Yeah, Now, let me come down and help you, sir. 209 00:12:40.480 --> 00:12:43.480 I'll make it if you just take my arms to. 210 00:12:43.440 --> 00:12:47.639 Hugsford, my arm please, But I have taken your arms, doll. 211 00:12:47.799 --> 00:12:49.000 Oh, yes, of course, I'm sorry. 212 00:12:50.240 --> 00:12:50.960 We go now. 213 00:12:55.039 --> 00:12:58.480 Here you are, sir, I had. 214 00:12:58.399 --> 00:13:00.480 A bit of a shock this morning. I'm right now. 215 00:13:00.720 --> 00:13:03.360 Well, it's all right, now, that's fine, I say, I 216 00:13:03.440 --> 00:13:04.639 take out of the strap there now. 217 00:13:04.679 --> 00:13:08.519 Oh yes, of course, let me see I have the 218 00:13:08.559 --> 00:13:09.639 fair share somewhere. 219 00:13:10.799 --> 00:13:15.639 Oh yes you are, Thank you, sir, and thank you. Hi. 220 00:13:16.440 --> 00:13:18.759 I'm afraid you've brought something home to mind. 221 00:13:19.080 --> 00:13:20.720 I don't understand what you mean. 222 00:13:20.960 --> 00:13:25.039 Well, mister Huxford, have you ever had anyone take your 223 00:13:25.159 --> 00:13:27.159 arm and help you up a flight of steps? 224 00:13:27.279 --> 00:13:29.279 No, and I might say that I hope the day 225 00:13:29.360 --> 00:13:33.559 never comes when I well, I'm sorry, sir. 226 00:13:33.720 --> 00:13:34.320 Not at all. 227 00:13:34.639 --> 00:13:36.679 Thank you, mister Huts, thank you very much. 228 00:13:38.759 --> 00:13:41.759 I don't rightly know what was wrong with him, though 229 00:13:41.799 --> 00:13:45.759 it's certain that something was. I haven't seen him for 230 00:13:45.840 --> 00:13:49.919 nearly three weeks now. I can't imagine what it might 231 00:13:49.960 --> 00:13:51.960 have been, what happened to him that morning before he 232 00:13:52.039 --> 00:13:52.879 got on the bus. 233 00:13:57.120 --> 00:13:58.039 My name is Jenkins. 234 00:13:58.080 --> 00:14:00.559 I've been mister Bell's personal valid for the past twelve 235 00:14:00.600 --> 00:14:03.840 years and seven months. The Master's traveling somewhere on the 236 00:14:03.840 --> 00:14:06.639 continent just at present. I've been gone something over two 237 00:14:06.639 --> 00:14:10.799 weeks now. Decided rather suddenly, I believe, in fact, i'd 238 00:14:10.919 --> 00:14:13.200 rather think something happened one morning about three weeks ago 239 00:14:13.279 --> 00:14:13.879 that caused. 240 00:14:13.679 --> 00:14:15.960 Him to make up his mind. I really haven't any 241 00:14:16.120 --> 00:14:19.000 idea what it might have been. I can remember noticing 242 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:19.879 a very strange look. 243 00:14:19.759 --> 00:14:21.720 On his face when he came down to breakfast that morning, 244 00:14:21.720 --> 00:14:23.320 but thought nothing of it at the time. 245 00:14:23.600 --> 00:14:25.200 Good morning, Jenkin, Good morning. 246 00:14:25.200 --> 00:14:26.679 So I trust you had a pleasant night's rest. 247 00:14:27.240 --> 00:14:30.159 Yes, yes, yes I did, thanks having the usual eyes 248 00:14:30.240 --> 00:14:31.000 just turned some teeth. 249 00:14:31.039 --> 00:14:34.080 No, no, I want nothing, he said, some coffee. 250 00:14:33.840 --> 00:14:35.039 Very well, so I'll bring it right away. 251 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:37.200 I can't let him find out. 252 00:14:37.759 --> 00:14:40.080 I can't let anyone find out about it. Maybe it's 253 00:14:40.080 --> 00:14:41.919 a little better now, maybe it's going away. 254 00:14:42.519 --> 00:14:43.480 Maybe I'm giving. 255 00:14:43.240 --> 00:14:46.360 It too much importance. But no, no, no, it's still there. 256 00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:49.000 That seemed like a feeling clear down the whole right 257 00:14:49.039 --> 00:14:52.240 side of my money. I can move my arm and 258 00:14:52.320 --> 00:14:55.159 leg all right. There's no feeling in them than numb. 259 00:14:56.559 --> 00:14:59.039 It's simply that, at fifty two years of age, I've 260 00:14:59.080 --> 00:14:59.960 had a light stroke. 261 00:15:02.159 --> 00:15:05.000 Your coffee, sir, oh, thank you drinks. Would you care 262 00:15:05.039 --> 00:15:05.759 for something more, sir? 263 00:15:05.799 --> 00:15:08.279 No, no, no, no, all if your pardon, sir. 264 00:15:08.399 --> 00:15:10.879 You don't quite yourself this morning. I do hope you're 265 00:15:10.919 --> 00:15:11.120 not here. 266 00:15:11.200 --> 00:15:12.480 No, no, no, no, I'm all right, Jackins. 267 00:15:12.519 --> 00:15:14.039 And I hope you what am I saying this, mister Bell? 268 00:15:14.120 --> 00:15:16.000 But you don't take very good care of yourself anymore. Oh, 269 00:15:16.080 --> 00:15:17.799 please speak years now since you had to check out, 270 00:15:17.840 --> 00:15:19.039 not since the mistress passed away. 271 00:15:19.080 --> 00:15:21.799 In fact, I'm quite all right, Jenkins, I'm quite all right. 272 00:15:21.799 --> 00:15:23.720 Yes, sir, I'm re leieved to hear it, sir. I'll 273 00:15:23.720 --> 00:15:24.600 bring your paper now. 274 00:15:25.600 --> 00:15:28.879 Good God, is this what a man slaves his life 275 00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:31.759 away for, to end up helpless depending on others to 276 00:15:31.840 --> 00:15:34.799 be wheeled about, put out in the sun, taken in 277 00:15:35.080 --> 00:15:38.159 like some great fat Lava's disgusting. 278 00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:41.919 Pardon me, sir, I didn't quite hear you. 279 00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:43.360 Nothing nothing drinkings. 280 00:15:43.559 --> 00:15:46.840 Here's your paper, sir, Oh, thank you. Please call if 281 00:15:46.840 --> 00:15:49.080 you need anything else. Sir, I'd be in the pantry. 282 00:15:50.039 --> 00:15:51.399 I couldn't go on that way. 283 00:15:52.320 --> 00:15:53.360 I'd rather not go on. 284 00:15:54.559 --> 00:15:55.559 I've got to face it. 285 00:15:56.200 --> 00:15:59.200 This stroke is the first warning. There'll be others, worse ones, 286 00:16:00.080 --> 00:16:01.000 and in a short. 287 00:16:00.720 --> 00:16:01.799 Time I'll be helpless. 288 00:16:02.200 --> 00:16:06.879 There must be some way out, not suicide, but someway. 289 00:16:07.519 --> 00:16:08.799 There's got to be some way. 290 00:16:14.919 --> 00:16:18.919 The icy wall hardens into cold vitreous steel. As the 291 00:16:19.039 --> 00:16:24.200 dust born shadows chill its surface, the merciless ice is 292 00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:27.440 beginning to freeze the cramped joints of the man's fingers. Now, 293 00:16:28.279 --> 00:16:30.919 and the heavy axe swings idly at his belt, tracing 294 00:16:30.960 --> 00:16:32.200 a fumbling. 295 00:16:31.679 --> 00:16:33.559 Pattern on the thin air of the void. 296 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:37.200 How much longer can he cling to those slots in 297 00:16:37.200 --> 00:16:40.960 the glacier's face? How much longer does he have to live? 298 00:16:41.039 --> 00:16:46.039 Thirty seconds a minute? What's the margin of safety? 299 00:16:46.080 --> 00:16:46.360 Now? 300 00:16:47.039 --> 00:16:50.080 And what does a man think of while his pulse 301 00:16:50.440 --> 00:16:54.559 beats slower and he waits to die? 302 00:16:56.919 --> 00:16:59.879 Strange I'm able to go on, hanging to the slope, 303 00:17:00.039 --> 00:17:03.039 clinging on to life, and I can't feel another ance 304 00:17:03.120 --> 00:17:08.359 of strength left in me. Strange too, seems I could 305 00:17:08.359 --> 00:17:13.440 stay here forever, becoming part of the glacier itself, looking 306 00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:15.799 down at the rocks below, out across the peaks and 307 00:17:15.839 --> 00:17:20.400 the ice. Now, it's right, dying isn't so bad, Rarely 308 00:17:20.880 --> 00:17:25.200 not when it's like this rather pleasant. In fact, looks 309 00:17:25.279 --> 00:17:29.519 so soft down there, the shadows and the snow, the wind. 310 00:17:31.160 --> 00:17:34.160 Perhaps I could let go float out on the wind 311 00:17:34.359 --> 00:17:37.079 like an eagle, or be blown along by it like 312 00:17:37.319 --> 00:17:44.880 drifting snow. Er. The sun's gone now. It will be 313 00:17:44.920 --> 00:17:48.039 full dark in a few minutes. Maybe I can hold 314 00:17:48.079 --> 00:17:51.880 on that long, But everything is dark, even the snow 315 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:52.480 and the ice. 316 00:17:54.079 --> 00:17:54.759 And who knows. 317 00:17:55.440 --> 00:17:59.000 Perhaps I'll watch the sunrise tomorrow and set again. 318 00:17:59.400 --> 00:18:03.920 And even be on. Oh no, no, no, no, I 319 00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:08.880 can't last even one full minute longer. I'm true, I'm finished. 320 00:18:09.519 --> 00:18:10.759 I can't even last to her. 321 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:17.000 Eh, chips of ice sliding over the edge. It's funny 322 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:19.960 how a glacier sheds off that way. I suppose the 323 00:18:19.960 --> 00:18:27.799 difference in temperature between days. Oh wait, an ice axe, 324 00:18:28.359 --> 00:18:30.839 I was an ax. Nor the sound in the world 325 00:18:30.880 --> 00:18:33.839 like it fell from up above the overhang there. There 326 00:18:33.880 --> 00:18:36.319 must be somebody up there on the slope coming down 327 00:18:36.359 --> 00:18:46.759 from the top. There is wait, that's why six seven, eight, nine, ten. 328 00:18:49.160 --> 00:18:52.079 That's a mountaineer's call for help. Someone's dropped his axe 329 00:18:52.079 --> 00:18:54.759 and he's in trouble up there. It's right above this bulge. 330 00:18:55.240 --> 00:18:56.079 If I can only. 331 00:18:58.680 --> 00:19:02.480 No, no, no, no, my throat, my throats to dry well. 332 00:19:03.279 --> 00:19:07.839 Six more steps to cut to reach the edge there, 333 00:19:07.880 --> 00:19:14.720 all right, six more steps. 334 00:19:19.359 --> 00:19:21.519 I was done in I was finished. 335 00:19:21.440 --> 00:19:28.359 And now now five more steps? 336 00:19:35.680 --> 00:19:37.720 Just about does it? 337 00:19:37.799 --> 00:19:40.680 The last step you cut the rope and let me go. 338 00:19:41.359 --> 00:19:43.640 There's no good lord, it's a woman and there's a 339 00:19:43.680 --> 00:19:44.799 man upon the slope. 340 00:19:45.920 --> 00:19:48.359 Hold on up there. I'll be with you in a minute. 341 00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:53.279 Somebody's coming here over the. 342 00:19:55.440 --> 00:19:58.079 Take it easy there, everything's going to be all right. 343 00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:02.440 I don't know where you came from. The Thank Heaven, 344 00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:02.920 you're here. 345 00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:06.240 Yeah, easy enough, it's gotta step out for your feet. 346 00:20:07.759 --> 00:20:11.559 I was just below the old hang there, I helped 347 00:20:11.559 --> 00:20:12.839 the follow up above. Call out. 348 00:20:13.319 --> 00:20:14.559 It's got quite a voice on him. 349 00:20:15.519 --> 00:20:16.400 It's my husband. 350 00:20:16.720 --> 00:20:20.960 He's in a step out yet in a second, you 351 00:20:21.319 --> 00:20:24.279 put your feet on him, You get your breath, then 352 00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:25.279 we'll tackle the slope. 353 00:20:26.160 --> 00:20:29.039 Hennah, I'll strap his ice away. 354 00:20:29.839 --> 00:20:38.000 Easy a hair. Yes, Oh, you're all right now. Just 355 00:20:38.079 --> 00:20:40.599 lean there when you feel like it, we'll we'll go 356 00:20:40.680 --> 00:20:41.000 on up. 357 00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:45.799 My name is Christopher Bell, by the way, I'm and 358 00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:50.599 a girl, and thank you. I thought we were done. 359 00:20:51.200 --> 00:20:53.119 I was cutting steps down ahead on the slope and 360 00:20:53.119 --> 00:20:55.480 I slipped and dropped my axe. The rope held me, 361 00:20:55.559 --> 00:20:57.599 but neither of was dead to move. 362 00:20:58.440 --> 00:21:01.079 Well, you're all right now. Soon as you rest up 363 00:21:01.119 --> 00:21:03.559 a minute, we'll cut some more steps back up the slope. 364 00:21:04.279 --> 00:21:06.720 You should have started down this way, you've never been 365 00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:08.359 able to pass that bul Yes, I. 366 00:21:08.359 --> 00:21:11.400 Can see that now. Of course, it's harder to tell 367 00:21:11.400 --> 00:21:12.680 when you're moving down the slope. 368 00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:14.119 Yes, I suppose it is. 369 00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:16.799 You were coming up the slope, won't you? 370 00:21:16.920 --> 00:21:18.839 Yes? I I I came up from the foot. 371 00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:20.920 Alone and without a rope. 372 00:21:21.599 --> 00:21:24.279 Can you deliberately climb under the under side of an 373 00:21:24.319 --> 00:21:26.319 overhanging wall? 374 00:21:26.400 --> 00:21:28.400 Let's just say we're both fool hard? 375 00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:30.240 Is that what you call it? 376 00:21:30.559 --> 00:21:34.160 Ah, If you've got your breath back, Now, suppose we 377 00:21:34.279 --> 00:21:35.240 start up the slope. 378 00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:37.480 Oh here, like to take my axe and cut the 379 00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:37.960 first step? 380 00:21:38.359 --> 00:21:41.200 You'd trust me with it? After I dropped my own. 381 00:21:41.559 --> 00:21:44.039 Anybody could make a mistake like that, dropping an axe 382 00:21:44.680 --> 00:21:56.519 or climbing up under an overhang. My name is Theodore Girden, 383 00:21:56.680 --> 00:21:58.599 and I am the husband of the woman who slipped 384 00:21:58.640 --> 00:22:01.960 and fell on the wall of the glease. I'm a physician, 385 00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:05.400 formerly of Harley Street, London, who I have practiced in 386 00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:08.759 Paris for several years now. I met mister Bell when 387 00:22:08.839 --> 00:22:10.799 he and my wife reached the ice ledge where I 388 00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:14.359 stood waiting above them. He was not immediately aware of 389 00:22:14.400 --> 00:22:16.960 his trouble, but found out about it a short time later, 390 00:22:17.039 --> 00:22:18.599 when we reached the rest her at the. 391 00:22:18.559 --> 00:22:19.440 Top of the ridge. 392 00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:22.359 While my wife heated water for tea at the far 393 00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:24.680 side of the room, Bell and I fell into a 394 00:22:24.720 --> 00:22:28.440 much more personal conversation than strangers normally do. But it 395 00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:31.319 sometimes happens when people have been very close to death. 396 00:22:36.720 --> 00:22:39.519 At any rate, doctor Gurlin, Ow, you can see how 397 00:22:39.559 --> 00:22:43.119 it is the life of an invalid doesn't seem very appealing. 398 00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:47.200 Tell me something, mister Bell, h gather you were pretty 399 00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:49.799 well done in when I called out on the glacier. 400 00:22:50.319 --> 00:22:53.839 You couldn't lift a hand. Then how do you account 401 00:22:53.880 --> 00:22:56.519