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

boots, and helmet-shaped caps of Indi,
rubber, and looking like knights in armcr
hnlghts they were, too, for that matter
tor, though armed only with shovel ani
pick, they were as daring and as generou
as ever belted prince who rode with lane,
IN rest to right imaginary wrongs; opG
they were ready now to risk every danger
to save the poor fellow buried in the min,
beneath. - '''>
On reaching the scene 1 found our ma.
chinery apparently uninjured, but looking
more closely discovered that the pumT
was not raising drop Of water, and il
would not be long before the entire mine
would be flooded. The pump must be re.
iieVed 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 his trade in ey-
cry mining country, from the English
Channel to the Pacific Ocean, and who,
for 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 lifted no water.
"Bob," said l, "we must fix that pumn,
II Is our only hope to save little Jimmy"
,,,n' We'll fix it" replied Bob, quietly.
The pump is starved-choked up at the
bottom. Well fix it; and as for the poor
lad, we'll get un out.n
Bob was West-OfEngland man, and
his dialect stuck to him.
SWELL get un out, Benny; | think he
bean't dead. Pre helped dig men out in
the old country, and this too; an God
will help US, 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 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 groaning, stood still, and began
to tremble. The wheel had stopped for a
moment, then began to move slowly, and
went round with surge. There was a
great rush of water through the pump,
and it was all right. Our old wooden
pump was equal to the occasion. The
hood-gates 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
it. Men were working under ground rs
only such men would work. They had
been told offinto 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 bad lost
its cohesion, and at any moment might
crush down like mountain.
Presently, to those who waited above,
there came a 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. II ascended
into heaven !; for it was prayer-a prayer
Of Thanksgiving and of praise. Net formed
Of speech, not framed IN language, ou' 'ae
oyeraowing of the heart that cannot be
uttered in words. =,
Ny story is done. Little Jimmy had
been overwhelmed with an avalanche, his
candles extinguisbed, and he dashed down
with his face to the earth; but the rocks
md timbers had formed an arch over him.
lie 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. Ina little
while he would have drowned where he
ay ; but he was safe now. Strong hands
lad dragged him out of the grave. They
lad harnessed themselves to the "horse
rbim', and had hoisted him into the glo-
.ious sunshine. They bore him to his
,abin, and placed him in the tender care
4 "Doc.n Here we will leave him.