The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1860-08-23
VOLUME RsDAY YAl,Usr
After a consultation among tie miner


the Scotch guide announced That there
was an air shaft ascending from the end
of the mine TO the summit Of the noun
tain, and that it was barely pos ibc that
this miy lit afford way of egress. The
patty therefore returned to Tie extremity
Of the drift, and the miner who accom-
panied them was sent up the shaft to as
certain if it was open to the surface
For near two hours the company anxious
ly awaited the return Of their messenger.
At the end of that time lie came back with
the report that he had reached the sur
face with great difficulty. and that the
shaft was open, but in very dangerous
condition. Time had rotted away the
timber which kept its sides from falling to
gether, and the stones in many places,
ready TO fall at the slightest touch. But
still there was hope of escape; and when
humanity is reduced to desp, ration, feats
can be accomplished Which, in calmcr mos
ments, would be considered impossible.
The air,shaft was less than two feet in
diameter, and rose to a hight of of near
six hundred feet. In some places it was
perpendicular, and in others it was Lur
ried up at an angle. The dampness OF
years had covered the timbers around it
with slime, and where they had rotted a.
way soft mud oozed out of the earth.-
But Notwithstanding all these difficulties.
added 20 the danger that falling rock
might wedge them in beyond the power
Of escape, and leave them TO die the lin
gering death of being buried alive, they
determined to attempt the ascent.
The party consisted Of the two young
ladies, the two gentlemen who acted as
their escort, the Scotchman, WHO was
their guide, and two miners. The ladies
prepared themselves by removing all su-
pcifluous clothing, and the ascent was
commerced. The guide, with one miner,
went first, the two gentlemen followed,
then came the ladies', and lastly the re-
naming miner. Painfully they toiled up
wards, now drag ing themselves over de.
cayed iimbers and projecting rocks, now
forcing themselves through spaces where
it seemed almost impossible for them tc
pass, and now drawing each other by the
hand, from step to step, where the as,
cent was perpendicular. Through all thi.
the fortitude of the ladies never deserted
them. TEey were cheerful and hopeful
when-thc men were ready to despond.-
After TWO hours of almost superhuman
e1ertion, the blue sky appeared above
them, and the fragrant air filled then
with deliyht.-Thank God! they were
saved.
But what an appearance did they pre-
sent! From head to foot they were GOV.
cred with mud and filth. Their clothes
were in tatters, and their hands were lac
Grated and bleeding. Night had descen.
ded, and they were three miles away from
home, in the midst of wilderness. Bu
the greatest danger was past. and with q
checrfulness which almost banished lheil
fatigue, they commenced their homeward
journey. At length they reached the cir.
Gle of !heir friends, WHO had suffered an
anxiety almost as painful as their OWL
terrible experience. It was not until the
haven Of rest was reached, where tearfu
faces welcomed them, that the peril being
all over, and the occasion for heroisn
past, feminine delicacy resumed its sway
and those who had borne so muc; and sc
nobly, sank into a swoon.-PAuadelphic
Press.