Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-12-08
lost ; and could see that if he did not mind

CNCu dS IL hdo, AhS bOUSa GL II hOQiu
give him courage.
aWhere is it, boy ?" he said, hoarsely !;
aud then looking into his fuse, which was
turned to me, l saw that bis eyes were drawn
together, squirting and bioodshot, and knew
that the fright. had driven him blind. So
pushing myself 10 him, placed my arm round
his waist and worked round to the rod, which
/ put in his hnnd and then locked below,
to see whether they were trying to help rs !;
but there was no sign. The yard wGs full Of
people, all running hither and thitier; aud
as [ afterwards knew, all in the greatest con
sternation.; the cradle having fallen ou Que
of the overseers Of the works, killing him on
the spot, and SO occupying the attention of
those near, that we unfortunates were for the
time forgotten. [ was straininS my eyes, in
hope of seeing some effort made to help us,
when was startled by horrible yell, aud
brought to sense of u new danger, for look.
ing round, saw Ben champipg with his
teeth and foaming at the mouth. and gesticu-
lating in an unearthly way. Fear had not
only blinded him, but crazcd his brain.
Scarcely had L time to comprehend this,
when he began edging his way toward me
and every hair on my head seemed to stand
on end, as moved away. keeping as far off
as could, and scarcely daring to breathe,
lest be should hear me, for see me he could
not-that was my only consolation. Once
twice-thrice, he followed me round the
mouth of that horrible chimney; then, no
doubt thinking l had fallen over, he gave up
the search, and began trying to get on to his
feet What could now do to save his life?
To touch him was certain death to myself as
we'll as him, for he would inevitably seize me,
and we would both go over together. To let
4 l.
tain destruction.
thought of poor Mary, and remembered
that if he died, she might get to care for me.
The devil put that thought in my mind, l
suppose but, thank God, there was strong
er than Satan near, and at the risk OF my life,
l roared out, ''Sit still, or you will fall, Ben
Lloyd ~
lie crouched down and held on with
clenched teeth, shivering and shaking. In
after days, he told me that he thought it was
my spirit sent to warn and save him.
g Sit STILL" 1 repeated from time to time,
watching with aching eyes and brain for some
sign OF aid Each minute seemed to be au
hour. My lips grew dry, my tongue literally
Glove to my mouth, and the perspiration run
ming down blinded me. At last-at last
hope came. The crowd began to gather in
the yard, people were running in from dis
tant lanes, and sea Of faces were turned up>
ward then some one who had gotu speaking
trumpet, shouted, g Keep heart, boys, we'll
save youw A few minutes more, aud the
kite began to rise; higher and highOr it comes
on and on. How watched the white winged
messenger, comparing it in my heart to an
angel; and surely, as an angel was 1t per-
mitted to come to us poor sinners, hanging ON
the verge of eternity. Up it came, nearer
and nearer, guided by the skillful flyer. Tic
slack rope crossed the chimney aud We were
saved.
could not shout hurrah, even had dared,
but in every beat of my heart was thanks
giving to the God had never truly known
till that hour, and whose merciful providence
l can never doubt again.
The block was fixed, the cradle came up
again, and Ben, obeying my order, got IN
l followed but no sooner did touch him,
than he began trying to get out. got hold
of HIM, and taking it into his head that was
attempting to throw him over, be struggled
aud fought like the mailman he was-grup-
pling, tearing with his teeth, shouting, shrek
ing and praying all tho way down, while the
cradle strained and cracked, swinging to and
fro like the pendulum of a clock. As we
came near the ground l could hear the roar
of voices, and an occasional cheer then sud-
denly all was silent, for they had heard Ben's
cries, and when the cradle touched the ground
scarcely a man dare look in. The first who
did saw horrid sight, for exhausted by the
struggle and excitement, so soon as the era
die stopped 1 had tainted, and Ben feeling
my hands relax, had fastened his teeth into
my neck.
No wonder the men fell back with b!anch-
ed faces they saw that Ben was crazed but
they thought that he had killed me, for, as
they said, he was actually worrying me like a
dog,
At last the master got TO US and pulled Ben
off me- 1 soon came round, but it was a long
time before he got well, poor fellow; and
when he did come out of the asylum, he was
never fit for his old trade again, so be and
Mary went to Australia, and the last heard
of them was, Ben had got couple Of thou
sand sheep, and was doing capitally.
gave up the trade too, soon after, finding
that / got queer in the head when L tried to
face height. So, you see, that morning. S
work changed two mems lives.