The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1877-09-13
From cassell's Magazine.
A RIDE FOR LIFE.

little town in the north of England. Nc
Causland was engineer to the water COM
pany there, and had invited me to go
down for a week.
After the usual interval for dressing,
we sat down to an excellent little dinner
Not unnaturally the conversation turned
upon the weather.
al am sorry this rain continues" said
McCausland; it spoils my water-sup.
ply People bully me as if | could help
Are your reservoirs near the town? "
/ asked.
"No," he replied, away in the hills
We can go over tomorrow, if you like
Pm due there"
The excursion was arranged. We
agreed to start at eleven o'clock next
morning, and we started punctually.
We pursued our way up the hill, and
crossing the brow reached a small inn.
Here we found country gig awaiting
us. Into this we clambered, and pro-
eeeded along wooded by-road, stony
and rutfull. At length, when hope had
almost given way to bad language, we
pulled up at another small inn called
the " Reservoir" We got out of the gig
gladly.
An engineer foreman hurried up and
accosted us politely.
SIS all right, Johnson?' inquired Nc
Causland.
Yes, all is right; but"
"Well, but what?''
al don't quite like the South Reser-
voir embankment," was the reply.
McCausland turned pale to his very
lips.
"Come with me-" he said abruptly.
We hurried after him in silence, and
with strange dread upon us.
We soon came in sight of the extensive
embankment, which confined the waters
of the largest of the three reservoirs of
the Holmesdale Company. A fresh
breeze was blowing the water in small
though noisy waves against the paved
top of the bank Here and there a
tongue of liquid spat upon the stonework,
and at one spot it trickled down into and
apparently came through the grass.
This is the spot was looking at this
morning." said Johnson.
"You had better have few men to
tulS, Sstl' -NItSdliSidliti, HUI
eating tiny crack that would have es-
capped less-experienced eyes.
We then continued our inspection,
but during our progress round the works
the clouds had massed themselves in
wild grandeur above the hills, and Law
heavily above the A lps valley in front.
The railroad crossed the valley on a
graceful viaduct near Ammering June
ton. The slaty clouds hung suspended
over this district. Long tendrils of the
scud came forth from them similar to
fingers. These clutched now rock, then
a solitary tree, now swept up again and
brought down larger mass OF cloud to
place upon the ground-ever stealing
onward and downward, leaving all in its
stealthy track cloudy and foggy. A low
moaning sound was in the air. 1t was
not the wind, for the breeze had
strangely lulled. The trees scarcely
moved, yet the water rolled up against
the reservoir sides as Is agitated by an
unseen wheel. We all seemed conscious
of the disturbance of the atmospheric
conditions, and the leaves whispered
strange condolences to the motiOnless
boughs above.
The men had all gone up to the reser-
voirs. McCausland and | sat chatting
together.
Do you think you could find your
way back alone?" he asked.
Why?" | said. Do you intend to
remain here? Is there any DANGER"
"Well, scarcely that; but | suppose
ought to be on the spot. will return
tomorrow or next day"
Cannot / stay, too?"
Certainly, if you desire it. But we
rough it up here"
:" l do not mind that" l replied. So
it was settled. Fortunate it was that l
did remain. As we were preparing to
visit the sluices again we were startled
by a vivid flash of lightning, which had
hardly passed when the rocks rang out
with thousand thunder-echoes
This was the signal. The windows of
heaven opened, and a perfect deluge de-
scented upon the devoted valley. The
little brooks leaped up, and danced down
the hillsides in white array. Tiny water
falls swelled themselves into cataracts,
and foamed down to the streams. The
wind rose up from its sleep and forced
great rolling waves across the coping of
the reservoirs, and stones and grass be-
came commingled.
Now the sluice-valves were all opened,
and the long-imprisoned water gladly
dashed from out its prison to meet its
native river once again. The channel of
the Holmesdale, once more filled with
water, divided on the hill. But still the
men worked hard amid the gathering
gloom and thunder by lantern-light. and
Nature rested not that liyelong night.
But | turned in and got some sleep in
defiance of the elemental war without.
At five o'clock in the morning, as the
gray light was struggling into life, Nc
Causland came, fully dressed, into my
room. started up.
I" Dress yourself as quickly as you can,
and come down stairs" he said. l be-
gan to ask questions. close no time,
there's good fellow; | want your assist
anee." He left the room.
| jumped up at once, hurried to the
window and looked out Day was lust
breaking through the misty sky, and. all
the world was raining. The water was
splashing from the ewes, and, miugling
with the heavy drops, burst in separ-
ate stream in every rut and furrow. The
winds beat the tall trees and roared amid
the branches. Ever and anon a sharp
snap denoted bough torn from its
place and whirled to the soaking earth.
l dressed quickly and Joined McCause-
land in the little parlor. He was study
ing a private copy of the railroad time
tables, which was an official he always
carried.
"Will you take the horse and ride
down to Ammerirg Junction with
message?"
His collected manner assured ME.
Was this all? A ride through the rain
was not much. "Of course, / will go.''
He grasped my hand firmly. care
you nervous?" he Sid, as he held it in
his own steaday grasp.
Nonsense" Ireplied, laughing; "rnI
be ready In five minutes, if it is import
ant. Is the horse here?''
| ran up for my water-proofs. When
came down the hoTse was at the door
McCausland inspecting him.
| mounted. Now" l said, for this