TRAVELLERS WHO ATE DOGS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3345, 11 October 1911, Page 3

TRAVELLERS WHO ATE DOGS.

PLIGHT OF RAILWAY PASSENGERS IN THE ANDES.

The difficulties of railway transit across the Andes by the new line have been illustrated in a striking fashion at the expense of a party of travellers who thought they would save tunc by taking (the )kr*d journey instead of doubling Cape Horn. Their adventures were related by an officer of the Pacific liner Oriana. which arrived at Liverpool recently. On June 11 the Oriana called at Monte Video and landed about 15 people, who intended making the 40 hours’ journey across the continent to Valparaiso by the new line. She then steamed round to Valparaiso, which she reached at 10 a.m. on June 22, But the railway passengers had not yet arrived. In the afternoon of the same day, however, they came into the town in an exhausted condition, having had an awful experience. While crossing the Andes their train had encountered heavy snowstorms, and for a time it managed to plough through the drifts. Then the supply of provisions gave out. A number of dogs were .on the train, and these were killed and eaten. Finding it impossible to force the train any further through the packed snow, the passengers abandoned it, and struggled forward on foot. For eight hours they staggered forward knee-deep in the snow. Fortunately the storm had ceased, and as they got further down the western slopes, of the mountain range the depth of the 'Snow began to lessen. When almost worn out they saw another train coming to meet them from Valparaiso. The travellers were taken on board and after 11 days they reached Valparaiso.