The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-02-01

Let S try further to the rlgnt. IL
pretty certain the girl isn't in any of the
holes hereabouts," I said.
But my companion insisted that it
was absolutely impossible that Maggie
could have strayed so far from road
that she was familiar with, and would
not allow met proceed in the direction
/ indicated.
A bright idea suddenly dawned upon
me, and ! proceeded to put it into exc
cution forthwith.
Iquitted Vance, and ran back to the
store, where found Mrs. Hyatt crying
bitterly, and evidently mach pcrturbed
Mt the non-appearance of her eldest
child.
"Have you got pair of old shoes be-
longing to your daughter {" I asked.
"Of course--lots of EN- but what
do you want of them {" sobbcd the
anxious mother.
"I will show you, if you will bring
them,' replied.
Mrs. Hyatt fetched pair of we'll
worn CATERS. took them in my hand
and called my dog.
Find her. Pip, old fellow" said, as
/ placed the boots before him.
He shifted them, raised his one intel
ligent eye to my face, wagged his tail
as if to indicate that he fully understood
toward the door.
followed him out and, with his
nose close to the ground, he led the way
to the Swan diggings. There he lost
the trail for while and seemed some
what confused but he suddenly gave
vent to a shrill bark of satisfaction, and
set off on Il quick trot exactly in the di-
rection in which Vance had declared il
was useless to search.
had some difficulty in keeping up
with him, for the ground was rugged
and uneven; but at length, he halted
on the brink of large sinking, and set
up a most piteous howl.
By means of cord, l lowered the Ian
tern / carried down into the hole, and
by its dim light | was enabled to dis
Germ the object of my search lying half
immersed in water far down at the bot
tom of the pit.
Leaving the lantern to serve rs a guide
TO the shaft, ran as quickly as possible
to the nearest shanty, and told -four
miners, who were the occupants Of it.
that required their services.
Australian diggers are naturally i'm
pulsive and energetic, and those fellows
proved no exception to the rule. They
procured ropes, and started off with Inc
at once.
The light in the lantern had left to
mark the sinking had, apparently, gone
out, for it was not visible but Pip, at
4 word from me, conducted us to the
hole, and l prepared to descend at once.
l hitched a rope under my arms, and my
four companions lowered me slowly
down the shaft.
The water at the bottom was only
about foot deep, and the girls head
had fortunately escaped immersion.
fastened the rope around my waist, ano
with my disengaged arm held her firm.
ly. She was quite unconscious, and
hailed the willing hands above to hoist
away"
As they lifted us from the muddy pool
my foot struck against something light
er than a stone. STOPPING, l picked ou'
of the water lantern.
She's not dead, and, l guess, aim
much hurt, after all, said a rough-beard
ed fellow, feeling the pulse of the inani
mate girl.
Mate, there's been some foul play
here. This is the lantern / placed t.
mark the sinking, and l found it in th'
hole. 1t couldn't have blown in, for
placed it to leeward, and checked i
tight with two pieces of rock. Some on
W.
shouldn't find the hole" said.
Then believe that the gal wa
chucked down, for know Matte Hyatt
well, and she is deal too smart to hav,
come all this distance from the righ
road, which she has passed along hun
dred times, without some one forcet
her." chimed in burly man, who raiseC
the girl in his stalwart arms, and carried
her toward her home.
Mrs Hyatt was too sensible to ALLOW
emotion to paralyze her actions. Sh
applied restoratives to her daughter, ant
in short time the sufferer regaineC
consciousness. She was a very prett.
girl, with well-cut features, dark eyes
and hair that was black and glossy as
ravens wing.
As soon as she could articulate, sh
astonished us all by declaring that Vanc
had endeavored to murder her.
Il met him near Swan Creek, and W
walked toward home together" she said
I've got talking about Young Jim Car
ter, and, when said | liked him, Me-
became very angry.
"Seeing he was jealous of him,
teased him little, when he suddenl
knocked me down with blow of hi
fist.
III kill you before you shall eve
marry that fellow !" he cried, clenchin
his threat with terrible oath.
The blow was cruelty severe ont
Smarting with the pain it created,
called him a coward, and declared tina
would never be the wife of any ma
who was mean enough to strike a We
man.
"On that, he caught hold of my shaw
and, though 1 struggled, succeeded
tying it over my head. He carried IN
along some distance, and then hurle
me down the sinking, where You foun
me.
"The water in the pit saved me froi
being much injured by the fall, and
was able to uncover my face but, aft'