The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-05-22

boots, and helmet-shaped caps of India
rubber, and looking like knights in armcr.
knights they were, too, for that matter
Tor, though armed only with shovel and
pick, they were as daring and as generous
as ever belted prince who rode with lance
in rest to right imaginary wrongs; and
they were ready now to risk every DANCER
to save the poor fellow buried in the mine
beneath.
on reaching the scene found our ma.
chlnery apparently uninjured, but looking
more closely discovered that the pumn
was not raising drop of water, and it
would not be long before the entire mine
would be flooded. The pump must be re-
lleved at once, or We could not hope to save
the mine, much less to save our friend.
Calling Bob Piper, tall, black-beardcd
miner, who had worked at bis trade in ey-
cry mining country, from the English
Channel TO the Pacific Ocean, and who,
Tor his skill, courage, and experience, was
the mining oracle of our camp-I pointed
him to the pump, which was wearing itself
out in vain, for it Fitted no water.
Bob" said l, Eve must fix that pump
1t IS our only hope to save little Jimmy"
We'll fix it." replied Bob, quietly.
The pump is starved-chokcd up at the
bottom. Well fix it; and as for the poor
lad, we'll get I'm out"
Bob was West-Of-England man, and
his dialect stuck to him.
"Well get I'm out, Benny; think he
bean't dead. Pye helped dig men out in
the old country, and this too; an God
will helpus, we'll getun out now won't us
Bcnny?"
Benny, thus appealed to, answered with
an emphatic 'You bet" and in a moment
he and Bob, followed by two Others, were
clambering down the steep and slippery
flight of ladders that led into the mine,
until their candles, glimmering like stars,
were one by one swallowed up in the black
shaft. Axes had been sent down in n
bucket, and in a few moments were heard
blows ringing on the mass of wood and
iron that composed the barrel of the pump.
They were cutting holes to let the water
into the pump below. 1t had already
risen above their waists, and the mouth Of
the lowest drift was nearly submerged.
The machinery was cracking and groan-
ing, and the wheel dashed round; but it
was idle show, and the mine was filling up,
and soon the men would be driven out,
but meantime we could hear the blows Of
the axes. Presently the clumsy walking
beam quit grooming, stood still, and began
to tremble. The wheel had stopped for
moment, then began to move slowly, and
went round with a surge. There was
great rush Of water through the pump,
and it was all right. Our old wooden
pump was equal to the occasion. The
flOod-gatcs were opened on the great over
shot wheel, and it was required to do its
best. 1t rushed around steadily, and in an
hour the mine was freed from water, so
that men could press into the drift.
1t was arranged that if Little Jimmy
were found alive, the fact should be tele-
graphed aloft by two strokes of the signal
bell; but il dead, one tap should announce
1t. Men were working under ground a
orii; such men would work. They had
been told otf'into gangs Of four each, which
spelled or relieved each other every fifteen
minutes and as they advanced into the
avalanche Of rocks and earth that filled
the drift, every inch had to be propped
with heavy timbers, for the vast mass
above them had been shaken, and had lost
its cohesion, and at any moment might
crush down like mountain.
Presently, to those who waited above,
there came sharp peal OF the bell-then
another. He was alive! What a shout
went up from the men assembled there!
Out Of the depths of that canon, above its
cliffs and crags, and over the trees that
waved on their SUBMITS, and above the
that lowered beyond-far above
them all it rose like incense. 1t assembled
into heaven for it was prayer-a prayer
of thanksgiving and Of praise. Not formed
of speech, not framed in language, but the
Overlooking of the heart that cannot be
uttered in words. j.,
Ny story is done. Little Jimmy had
been overwhelmed with an avalanche, his
candles extinguished, and he dashed down
with his face to the earth; but the rocks
and timbers had formed an arch over him.
He was borne down to the earth, and the
water had risen round him; and. resting
his elbow on the ground, he was just able
to support his head above it, In a little
while he would have drowned where he
lay but he was safe now: Strong hands InI
had dragged him out of the grave. They
had barnessed themselves to the "horse
wbimn and had hoisted him into the glo-
rious sunshine. They bore him to his
cabin. and placed him in the tender care
of mDoc,n Here we will leave him.