National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-06-02

Calling Bob Piper, n tall, black -bcardc
miner, who had worked at his trade in G,
cry mining country, from the Englis
Channel TO the Pacific Ocean, and VIII,
for his skill, courage, and experience, wa
the mining oracle Of our camp--l pointe
him to the pump, which was wearing itse
out in vain, for il Fitted no water.
Bob said |, tive must fix that pumI
II is our only hope TO save little jimmy"
"Weil fix it," replied Bob, quietly
"The pump is staryed-chokcd up at tn
bottom. Wen fix IL; and as for the poo
lad, we'll get un out.n "fa Z
Bob was West-of- England man, an,
his dialect stuck to him.
"We'll get un out, Benny think h
bcan't dead. I've helped dig men out il
the old country, and this too an Go,
will hclpu well get un out now won't u
Benny Z"
Benny, thus appealed to, answered will
nm emphatic "You bet" and in u momen
he and Bob, followed by two Others, wer,
clsmbcl ing down the steep and slipper,
fight II ladders that led into the mine
until then candles, glirnmerng like stars
were one by one swallowed up in the black
shaft. Axes had been sent down in .
bucket. and in n 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 tho 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 sp,
and soon the men would be driven ont,
but meantime we could hear the blows O
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
t'ood-gatcs were opened ON the great over
shot wheel, and it was required to do its
best II 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-
i"l4iCb hipi' w tNp SNIphtn VI Inv fipllul
bell; but ii dead, one tap should announce
1t. Men were working under ground as
only such men would work They had
been told Oft 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 filed
the drift, every inch had to be propped
with heavy t,mbers. for the vast mass
above them had been shaken, and had los t
its cohesion, and at any moment might
crush down ike mountain.
Presently, to those who waited above,
there came a sharp peal Of the bell--then
another He was alive What 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--tar above /
them all il rose like incense. 1t ascendcd /.
nto .,dven for it was prayer-a prayer |
# Thanksgiving and of praise. Not formed /
IF speech, not framed in language, but the .
,vertiowing of the heart that cannot be |
uttered in words.
Ny story is done. Little Jimmy had I
,een overwhelmed with an avalanche, LIS .
andes eNtinguished, and ho dashed down
With his face to the earth; but the rocks
md tmbcrs had formed an arch over him.
He was borne down to the earth. and the
water had risen round him; and, resting
lis elbow on the ground, he was Just able
o support his head above it, In little
While he would have drowned where he
ay but he was safe now Strong hands
lad dragged him out of the grave. They
ad harnessed themselves to the "horse
vhim' and had hoisted him into the glo-
ious sunshine. They bore him to his
abin, and placed him in the tender care
( "Doc' Here we will leave him.