Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-03-29
CHAPTER Ii.
AT THE SHAFT.

Arrived at the top Of the hill and at the
mouth of the shaft, one of the men said !:
Well here we are, Now to make known
our presence TO the man in the shait--to
Jacob Prilchardw
Well, call down to him." said an.
other, laughing; for, now that we stood
at the mouth of the shaft, we felt quite
silly, and half expected to see some one
peep out from behind a tree or rock and
raise the laugh" on us.
The man who had first spoken stopped
over the shaft and shouted: jacob, are
YOU down thereY'
Almost instantly there came up from the
shaft faint cry that was half moan, half
shout. We all heard it, and were thrilled
and startled.
Most of the faces about the shaft sud
denly grew pale, We all stood silent
for some seconds, when some one said /:
Sure as fate there is u man down
there!'
WHO are youg Who is down there?'
again called out our men, STOPPING down
CLOSE To the dark mouth Of Hie shaft.
Jacob Pritchardr' was the answer
so distinctly uttered that all heard it, and
AZ dAl ihiht'i Duitl tllbu
before.
" 1t beats the dickens" said one of the
men, THAT was The name signed to The
note, and here is the fellow still in the
shaitw
Ask him about the note" said one of
our party.
Did you-writc note--and send it
out-asking for helpg' cried our spokes-
man, STOPPING over the shaft and sending
the message down in sections much MS
the sailors on rivers call To each other
from vessel to vessel,
did, was the prompt response from
the bottom OF the shaft, and again we all
gazed at one another in amazement.
Ii is either the devil himself or the
biggest liar iii the moun,ans' said Bill
Wallace
How--could you-send out---a let
tersn asked Bill
Get me out can't tell nowi" came
from the dark in vcNed and grasping
voice,
He is right said Bill 1--WE ought
to he ashamed 10 stand here questioning
the POOR fellow when there are enough OF
us 10 eat him up without either salt or
pepper Light a couple of candles and
get the rope ready. Two of us viii 20
down and see how he can be got out.
Some of the bottom ladders must be
broken, or he could come out himself
that il, If his legs are both sound. Mike
Murphy, YOU are stout and active, ccme
with me amt We'll 80 and see that tel
low"
"B--but h-how could he bring UP the
letter." stammtred Mike, shaking his
head, and looking anything but ready to
descend the shan.
Blow the letter" said Bill, "he'll
| tell us all about that when we get him out.
Are We To keep the poor fellow there all
day while We stand here parleying like
CowardsY'
lin not afraid 10 20 down there, av
course said Mike, but We all know
that this here is quare kind of business,
from first 10 laSt-that Is, as far rs we've
got in it,"
Well, then, Mike, you and will go."
said Bill. Just drop the end of the rope
into the shaft, and We'll work it along to
the bottom as We coon il down the ladders.
Take your candle, Mike"
Mike took the candle INTO rather All UNI
steady hand, and then waiting until Bill
WAS down few feet, got upon the top of
the nutched pole anu began descending
backwards, rs CrawriSh travels. As his
head WAS descending below the level ol
the SIAN he halted aud cast lingering
lo"H on all the bright world he was leav,
icg He looked like u man whose hours
on earth are numbered His pride car
ried him where his LEGS did nutwant 10 ".