Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-07-08
then Bill cried out: " Hello, up there =
Hello I" cried we. i-I. 3,

then Bill cried out: Hello, up there
"Hello I" cried We. l+'
II am going to-bring him mp
the ladders" /" said Bill, sending his me
sage up in sections, 90 that it would n
become tangled on the way. ~ shi
leave-the rope around him. Keep u
slack hauled up-but don't pull har'
DO you understand 7"
CAN right" cried I. "We know ho
IL is." .u|
Then they started up the ladder
They halted to rest at each platform
As they crossed the shaft in their slo
ascent We could see, after time, thl
Bill was ahead, keeping the rope prope
ly taut; that Mike was boosting
the rear, while dark lump was movin
upward between the two. Gradual
they. worked their way up, resting an
climbing. - ''ut Cif ,
Finally, as they approached tho tor
J we were able to catch , occasions
glimpses lover Bills shoulders) of o pal
face and black, bushy beard. Thor
when they reached the last ladder, sloE
ing up toward us, there was added {
the picture o pair OF black and cage
looking eyes-hungry looking is prof
ably the better expression.
We at tho top became 80 much ex
cited that we came near yanking" tn
man up to the top Of the shaft at asingl
haul-would have done 80, perhaps, bu
for the warning cries Of Bill, whom vi
were in danger of dislodging from thu
not0Aed pole onwhich he had precari
GUS footing.
The man was safely landed at tn,
top Of the shaft. He was stranger K
us all. A tall, young fellow, apparentl,
about twenty-six years of age, stood be
fore us. He wore q black felt hat ant
ordinary miners garb. The man wa.
weak, and tottered as he opened the
moose ut the end Of the rope, dropped j,
to his feet, and stepped out Of it.
Suddenly he sunk upon his knees
We were about to 60 to his assistance,
thinking he had tainted, when he raised
his hands, and we saw, by the motion oi
his lips, that he was doing thing we
did not often see done in the mines.
We took off our hats and stood by in 81
lence.
When the young man attempted to
rise from his knees he fell over on his
side, and came near rolling into the
shaft again, for he had tainted. Some
water from the canteen revived him, and
q spoonful of brandy soon gave him
strength to stand, and even to walk
slowly, supported on either side by one
of our men.
We were all dying of curiosity, and as
we moved down the side of the noun
tain toward my cabin we could not re-
frain from asking few questions, weak
and sick as the young man looked.
"Your name is Jacob Pritchard 2"
asked one of the men.
1t is," said the stranger.
"Did You write this note ?" said I,
exhibiting the scrap of writing I had
found. ......'
~ did," said the man "but there
is blood on it. How came that9 I am
not hurt !"
SIT was as I found it on my cabin
floor, where you left it," said I.
"Where left it9 How could II"
said the young man, giving me a re-
look.
"Well," said I, "that is what 1 want
20 know-and you all the time in the
shaft |"
"Was it really broughtto your cabini"
"Of course how else would I have
got it9" said I.
eft is miracle !" cried the young
nan.
"Bnt how could you send the note up
,ut of the shaft 2" asked one of the men.
"The story is too long to be told now;
besides, what you most want to know is
70 simple-I might say SO silly-that
,ou will be inclined to laugh at me when
tell you. But when I am rested I
will tell you ALL"
This was gasped out a little at time,
nd SO feebly that we all saw that the
'oung man was in no condition to tell
ong story, such as his promised to be.
Bill, who felt proud OF his part in the
usiness of the rescue, swore that the
IAN should not say word until he had
wallowed something in the shape of
pod and till he felt himself able to talk.
After we had reached my cabin, and
fter the stranger had partaken of such
BOD as we thought suitable for him in |
is weak state, we asked him to tell us |
is story.
II ought to ask you to tell me your
;ory," said he, Gas there are things |
lat puzzle me not little, and which |
ou ought to be able to explain. 1 think
ou have said you found my note here
q the floor of your cabin 2"
81 have said so," I replied, "and
lnnot understand how it was left
lere."
The circumstance cannot astonish
,u more than it does me-" said the
,ung man. "The hand of God is in
Z! When you have heard my story
,u will probably be able to tell me how
10 note was brought to you; indeed,
at is q mystery which it will remain
ith you tQ explain-it is what I do not
,derstand."
"Then it will never be explained"
i'd I.
"We don't know that" said the
'ung man. "But I will tell you all I
low about this business"
" Good Let us have it," said all
Inds.
" Well." said the young man, "to
gin with /: I have been mining about
ownieville-up the river along Sailor
vine and of that way-for some
onths, making little more than grub.
had often heard of the shaft abandoned I
, Maldanado at the time of the Wsshoe I
yer excitement, and thought that
lere SO much gold had been found, !
me must have been left. I managed l
get description of the shaft from q
IN who had not the slightest idea Of |
Q use I intended making of the in
rmation he was giving me. Three
Us ago stole out of Downieville and l
me up here, determined to descend
Q vein and examine the shaft myself.
81 was provided with candle and ]
atches, and when I found the shaft,
ter long search, I unhesitatingly en- {
red it and began to descend by means {
the notched poles. 1 never thought q
possible that any accident could hap q
n to me. I
" All went we'll till was on the LAST j
lder from the bottom. I was about 8
Q middle of the pole or ladder, when,
thout the least warning, it broke in 4
Q center, and fell distance of about {
, feet, to the bottom of the shaft. I /
IS not at all hurt. The upper part of a